Countries:

* Albania *

Albania’s 9-mo Customs Revenue Rises 14.5% to 77 Bln Leks (620 Mln Euro) Oct 15, 2008, 15:15 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Albania collected 77 billion leks ($843.7 million/620 million euro) in customs revenue through September, up 14.5% from the same period a year earlier, the Customs Office said on Wednesday. link

* Bosnia *

Bosnia Federation Aug Tourist Numbers Rise 2.7% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 15:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists staying in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in August rose by 2.7% on the year to 35,180, official statistics showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Federation Aug Average Net Salary Falls 0.6% M/M - Table Oct 15, 2008, 15:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) - The average net monthly salary in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation fell 0.6% month-on-month to 759.11 marka ($531/389 euro) in August after going up by 3.1% in July, official statistics showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Federation Aug Jobless Numbers Fall 0.8% M/M, Down 8.6% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 15:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) - Officially unemployed in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in August numbered 338,111, down 0.8% month-on-month and 8.6% less on the year, official statistics showed on Wednesday. link

INTERVIEW – Bosnia’s Federation To Offer for Sale Its Two Telcos in Early 2009 - Federation PM Oct 15, 2008, 14:39 CET | Interview | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) – Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation will offer for sale stakes in its two telecoms operators, BH Telecom and HT Mostar, early next year after a government plan for their privatisation wins parliament approval, the Federation’s Prime Minister Nedzad Brankovic said. link

Bosnian City of Gradiska Issues 1.4 Mln Euro Bond To Finance Sports Hall Construction Oct 15, 2008, 13:38 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) – The Bosnian town of Gradiska on Wednesday launched the subscription for its six-year municipal bond issue worth 2.7 million marka ($1.9 million/1.4 million euro) on the Banja Luka Stock Exchange (BLSE), the bourse said. link

Bosnia’s Federation Sept Industrial Producer Prices Fall 1.6% M/M, Up 7.5% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 12:36 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) – Industrial producer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation fell by 1.6% month-on-month in September and were 7.5% higher than in September 2007, official statistics indicated on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Federation Sept CPI Rises 0.14% M/M, Up 8.73% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 12:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) - September consumer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation edged up by 0.14% month-on-month and were 8.73% higher on the year, official data showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia’s Federation Sept Industrial Output Rises 14.9% Y/Y, Up 2.9% M/M - Table Oct 15, 2008, 12:27 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (SeeNews) - The industrial output of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose by 14.9% year-on-year in September and was up 2.9% from the previous month, official statistics indicated on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Jan 9 Oct 15, 2008, 09:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 15 (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 Share Indices End Mixed as Market Euphoria Cools Oct 15, 2008, 17:18 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - Enthusiasm on the Bulgarian equity market faded on Wednesday as the key indices fell after two days of gains, brokers said. link

Germany’s Fraport Reports Drop in 9-mo Passenger Traffic at Bulgarian Airports Oct 15, 2008, 17:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - Germany’s Fraport, which operates two airports at the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, said on Wednesday the number of passengers serviced there has decreased in the first nine months of 2008. link

Karoll - Bulgarian Daily Newsletter - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 16:51 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Headlines link

Bulgarian Paint Maker Orgachim Appoints Achille Angelo Bardelli as CEO Oct 15, 2008, 16:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s largest paint and varnish manufacturer Orgachim has appointed Achille Angelo Bardelli as its chief executive officer, the company said on Wednesday. link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 15:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The euro appreciated against the US dollar but the movement was limited when the single currency reached levels around 1.3770. Meanwhile, Bush administration announced formal plans to spend at least 250 billion dollars on preferred equity from major financial institutions. Data released in the US saw August home prices declining 0.2% m/m and 11.6% y/y.The yen fell partly against the US dollar as the greenback tested offers around the 103.05 level. The overnight call rate target was left unchanged at 0.50%. Data released in Japan overnight saw September annual wholesale inflation at 6.8%. The euro moved higher against the yen, too, as the single currency tested offers around the 141.71 level. The British pound and Swiss franc also appreciated versus the yen as the crosses tested offers around the 181.30 and 91.25 levels, respectively. The run away from yen shows return of the investors to carry trade buying high yield currencies with loans in yens.The British pound rose agains t the US dollar as the cable tested offers around the 1.7630 level. Data released in the U.K. today saw September consumer price inflation rising 5.2% y/y, up from 4.7% from August. Many economists believe inflation will now head downward. Other data saw house sales falling to their lowest level in 30 years, combined with further decline in house prices. link

Bulbrokers - Stock Market Daily Review - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 15:40 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews US Indices Scored Modest LossesUS indices started the Tuesday session with gains, but minutes after the opening sentiment worsened as the worries about the condition of the broader economy offset the positive news about the new government measurements to shore up the financial system. Some investors decided to take profits following the previous session’s massive gains, which added to the selling pressure. According to the new plan, the Treasury will buy up to $250 billion in preferred stock from qualifying U.S. financial institutions. Nine of the largest financial institutions in the world will receive $125 billion, including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. To participate in the program, firms will have to agree to executive compensation limits, including the elimination of golden parachutes. In addition, the FDIC will guarantee the newly issued unsecured debt from banks through June 30, 2012. Meaning that if a bank fails, holders of newly issued debt will be paid by the FDIC. This includes interbank lending, which has seized up as banks hoarded cash. Separately, noninterest bearing deposit accounts will now be fully guaranteed, up from the current limit of $250,000, until the end of 2009.Dow Jones was supported by the financial stocks with its main advancers Bank of America Corp and Citigroup, posting gains by 15.6% to $26.53 and 18.2% to $18.62 respectively. Among the declining blue chips were Coca-Cola Co and Microsoft Corp as their shares lost 7.5% to $43.73 and 5.5% to $24.10 respectively. Consumer-discretionary and tech sector were the worse performers during the day.Shares of Johnson & Johnson rose by 2.1% to $64.00 after the company posted third quarter earnings growth that topped estimates and raised its full year outlook.In a big trading volume session all the three indices closed in red.Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.8% to 9310.99, S&P500 declined by 0.5% to 998.01 and Nasdaq Compos ite was down by 3.5% to 1779.01.Trading volume on NYSE was 1.6 bil n shares, with a ratio advancers/decliners 17 to 14, and volume on Nasdaq was 2.7 billion shares, with a ratio decliners/advancers 2 to 1. link

Bulgarian Aviation Group Expects Delivery of Two Airbus Aircraft by Mid-Nov Oct 15, 2008, 15:38 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) – The Bulgarian Aviation Group, which owns the country’s flag carrier, expects to get delivery of two new Airbus aircraft by mid-November, sticking to its plan to replace at least 10 of the group’s aircraft by 2012 despite the global economic crisis, the group CEO said on Wednesday. link

ANALYSIS – Global Financial Turmoil Seen Providing Healthy Correction for Bulgaria’s Clogged Holiday Property Market Oct 15, 2008, 15:13 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - The current global financial trauma will have a healthy effect on Bulgaria’s clogged and oversupplied holiday property market, pointing out the need to reassess and reform if the sector is to continue developing, industy officials said. link

Yahoo! Sets Foot on Bulgaria’s Online Ad Market Oct 15, 2008, 14:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - U.S. company Yahoo! Inc. will set foot on Bulgaria’s online advertising market through a partnership with local Internet media group Investor.bg, the companies said on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Direct Investment - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 14:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews According to preliminary data, the Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for January – August 2008 amounted to EUR 2,980.5 million (8.8% of GDP) compared to EUR 4,154.1 million (14.4% of GDP) attracted in January – August 2007. link

ANALYSIS – Consolidation, Public Projects Needed To Help Bulgarian Builders Survive Financial Woes Oct 15, 2008, 14:13 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - Consolidation and initiation of major public infrastructure projects are needed to prop up Bulgarian construction companies threatened by the global financial turmoil and whose downfall would impact the whole economy, industry officials and analysts say. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Real Effective Exchange Rate Index - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 14:12 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published its monthly data on the real effective exchange rate index for August 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Weekly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - Oct 10, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 14:10 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the weekly balance sheet of its issue department as of October 10, 2008. link

Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - Households Income, Expenditure and Consumption - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 14:09 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Statistical Institute (NSI) has published its monthly report on households income, expenditure and consumption for August 2007 and 2008. link

U.S. Harris Corporation To Deliver TV, Radio Transmitters to Bulgarian Telco BTC Oct 15, 2008, 13:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - U.S. international communications and information technology company Harris Corporation said it will deliver TV and radio transmitters to Bulgaria’s fixed-line telecom operator BTC for an undisclosed price. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Trade - Exports - Jan - July 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 13:39 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank has published its monthly data on foreign trade - exports - for the period January - July 2008. link

Dutch-based TBIH Financial Services Group Raises Stake in Bulgarian Pension Company Doverie Oct 15, 2008, 13:38 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s financial watchdog said on Wednesday it has allowed Dutch-based TBIH Financial Services Group to acquire from Bulgarian insurer Bulstrad for an undisclosed sum 12.29% of pension company Doverie, raising its stake to 92.58%. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Trade - Imports - Jan - July 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 13:37 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank has published its monthly data on foreign trade - imports - for January - July 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Issue Balance of Payments - Jan - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 13:36 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank has published its monthly issue on Balance of Payments for January - August 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Balance of Payments - Jan - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 12:01 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the period January – August 2008, the Current and Capital account deficit was EUR 4,542.9 million (13.4% of GDP2), against a deficit of EUR 3,249.6 million (11.2% of GDP) for the same period in 2007. link

UPDATE 1 - Bulgaria’s January-August C/A Gap Widens to 14%/GDP - Table Oct 15, 2008, 11:48 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds table, details) link

CORRECTED - Bulgaria’s January-August C/A Gap Widens to 14%/GDP Oct 15, 2008, 11:44 CET | Story | SeeNews In SOFIA story "Bulgaria’s January - August C/A Gap Widens to 14%/GDP" dated October 15 please read in the third paragraph "...in August 2007." instead of "...in August 2008." (correcting the year) link

Bulgaria’s January - August C/A Gap Widens to 14%/GDP Oct 15, 2008, 11:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s current account deficit through August widened to a preliminary 14% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) projected for 2008 from 11.6% in the same period a year earlier, central bank data showed on Wednesday. link

BULGARIA’S 8-MO C/A GAP WIDENS TO 14%/GDP FROM 11.6%/GDP YR-AGO - C-BANK Oct 15, 2008, 11:08 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgarian C-Bank FX Reserves Rise 1.7% W/W in Week Ended Oct 10 - Table Oct 15, 2008, 11:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 15 (SeeNews) - The foreign exchange assets of the Bulgarian central bank’s (BNB) Issue Department totalled 29.147 billion levs ($20.319 billion/14.898 billion euro) on October 10, up 1.7% from a week earlier, BNB data showed. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 10:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews market wrap-up link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 10:16 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews market highlights link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:03 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Stock Еxchange has published its report on turnover and prices for October 14, 2008. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:02 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews BSE-Sofia informs all its members, that on the web site of the Exchange at link

* Croatia *

Croatian Equity Indices Nosedive in Tune with Global Market Falls Oct 15, 2008, 18:48 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 15 (SeeNews) - The three Croatian share indices on Wednesday shed around seven percent each, as a global market slide reversed their rally from the previous two days, traders said. link

CORRECTED - Croatia’s PBZ Group 9-mo Net Profit Rises 2.0% to 949 Mln Kuna (132.8 Mln Euro) Oct 15, 2008, 17:48 CET | Story | SeeNews In ZAGREB story "Croatia’s PBZ Group 9-mo Net Profit Rises 2.0% to 949 Mln Kuna (132.8 Mln Euro)" dated October 15 please read in the second paragraph "...increased revenue from interests and revenue from commissions and fees,..." instead of "...increased revenue from interests,..." (restores dropped words). link

Croatia’s PBZ Group 9-mo Net Profit Rises 2.0% to 949 Mln Kuna (132.8 Mln Euro) Oct 15, 2008, 16:47 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Croatian commercial bank Privredna Banka Zagreb reported on Wednesday a group net profit of 949 million kuna ($180.7 million/132.8 million euro) for first nine months of 2008, up 2.0% on the year. link

Croatia C-Bank Approves Bids Worth 4.122 Bln Kuna (576.0 Mln Euro) in Revrepo Auction, Rate Rises Oct 15, 2008, 16:35 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 15 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank said on Wednesday it approved bids for Treasury bills worth 4.122 billion kuna ($786.1 million/576.0 million euro) placed in a reverse repo auction, as the weighted repo rate rose. link

Croatian Supermarket Retailer Getro Buys Back 8.0% of Its Shares from EBRD Oct 15, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Croatian supermarket retailer Getro is buying back eight percent of its own shares from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) following a six-year investment period by the lender, the bank said on Wednesday. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Producers’ Price Indices of Industrial Products - Sept 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 14:28 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd In September 2008, as compared to August 2008, the producers’ prices of industrial products decreased by 0.1% on the average, while as compared to December 2007 they increased by 9.0%, and, as compared to September 2007, by 10.3%.Reviewed by the Main Industrial Groupings 2001 (MIGs 2001), in September 2008, as compared to August 2008, the prices of Durable consumer goods increased on the average by 1.5% and the prices of Non-durable consumer goods by 0.3%. At the same time, the prices of Intermediate goods, except energy decreased by 0.5% on the average and the prices of Energy as well as the prices of Capital goods by 0.1%.Reviewed by the NKD 2002. divisions, the increase in September 2008, as compared to August 2008, was shown in the prices in the following divisions: Manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products (2.0%), Manufacture of furniture, manufacturing n. e. c. (1.9%), Manufacture of textiles (1.7%), Manufacture of refined petroleum products (0.9%), Publishing, pr inting and reproduction of recorded media (0.8%), Manufacture of wood and of products of wood, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials (0.5%), Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (0.4%), Tanning and dressing of leather, manufacture of luggage, handbags, saddler, harness and footwear (0.2%), Manufacture of wearing apparel, dressing and dying fur as well as of Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (0.1%).At the same time, the decrease was shown in the prices in the following divisions: Manufacture of basic metals (-4.6%), Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (-1.9%), Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (-1.8%), Manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus n. e. c. (-1.2%), Other mining and quarrying (-0.5%), Manufacture of rubber and plastic products (-0.4%) and Manufacture of tobacco products (-0.1%).In the remaining nine divisions of the industrial production, the pri ces in September 2008, as compared to August 2008, remained unchan on the average. link

H1 FDI in Croatia Falls 22.4% Y/Y to Prelim 1.83 Bln Euro - RBA Oct 15, 2008, 14:14 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October15 (SeeNews) - Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Croatia fell by 22.4% on the year to a preliminary 1.83 billion euro ($2.498 billion) in the first half of 2008, Raiffeisenbank Austria Zagreb (RBA) said on Wednesday. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:58 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Highlights: link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily Report - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:40 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Daily comment: link

Croatia Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Nov 20 Oct 15, 2008, 09:37 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through November 20. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Macedonia *

Macedonian Stock Exchange Re-Introduces +/-10% Daily Price Fluctuations Range Oct 15, 2008, 14:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 15 (SeeNews) – The Macedonian Stock Exchange (MSE) said it set as of Wednesday the maximum allowed daily fluctuations in the price of stocks traded on the official floor at 10% of the base stock price, after narrowing the allowed fluctuations range last week. link

Macedonia’s C-Bank Absorbs 2.892 Bln Denars (46.91 Mln Euro) in 28-Day Repo Funds Oct 15, 2008, 13:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank said on Wednesday it absorbed 2.892 billion denars ($64.09 million/46.91 million euro) in 28-day repo funds from the banking system. link

Macedonia July C/A Deficit More Than Doubles Y/Y to 48.74 Mln Euro ($66.22 Mln) - Table Oct 15, 2008, 12:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s current account deficit more than doubled to preliminary 48.74 million euro ($66.22 million) in July from a revised deficit of 21.12 million euro a year earlier, central bank data showed on Wednesday. link

MACEDONIA’S JULY C/A GAP WIDENS TO 48.74 MLN EURO ($66.22 MLN) FROM 21.12 MLN EURO YR-AGO - C-BANK Oct 15, 2008, 12:37 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Value of Macedonian Bank Card Transactions Rises 10.7% M/M in September - Table Oct 15, 2008, 10:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 15 (SeeNews) - The value of bank card transactions in Macedonia in September rose by 10.7% month-on-month to 11,987 billion denars ($266.57 million/196.22 million euro), as their number rose by a monthly 12%, central bank statistics showed on Wednesday. link

Macedonia Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Nov 14 Oct 15, 2008, 09:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 15 (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 - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:04 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Тhe Macedonian Stock exchange has published its daily report on turnover and prices for October 14, 2008. link

* Moldova *

Moldova Sells 45 Mln Lei (3.2 Mln Euro) in T-Bills, Yields Fall Oct 15, 2008, 14:49 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), October 15 (SeeNews) - The Moldovan central bank, BNM, said it sold on Wednesday 45 million lei ($4.4 million/3.2 million euro) in three Treasury bill issues, as yields on all of them fell. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Nov 12 Oct 15, 2008, 10:34 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), October 15 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Moldova through November 12. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Montenegro *

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:04 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The New Securities exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for October 14, 2008. link

* Romania *

Romania’s Q2 PC Market Value Rises 23.3% Y/Y, Shipments Up by 29.3% Y/Y - IDC Oct 15, 2008, 18:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - The Romanian personal computer (PC) market rose by 23.3% year-on-year in terms of value in the second quarter, while shipments increased by 29.3% on the year in the same period, IT research company International Data Corporation (IDC) said on Wednesday. link

Romania’s Petrom Contracts 3-Year Loan of 375 Mln Euro Oct 15, 2008, 17:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romania’s largest oil group Petrom, majority-owned by Austria’s OMV, has contracted a three-year loan worth 375 million euro ($510 million) from a consortium of foreign banks in order to support its financial needs and investment plans, it said on Wednesday. link

Romanian Leu Ends Weaker vs Euro Mirroring Peers Oct 15, 2008, 17:13 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romania’s leu on Wednesday ended at 3.7900/8200 per euro, weaker than 3.7700/7750 on Tuesday, shadowing other emerging market currencies amid resurfacing risk aversion and profit-taking, dealers said. link

Romanian Stocks Dive on Profit Taking Oct 15, 2008, 16:32 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romanian share indices dived back into red territory on Wednesday amid profit taking after a two-day market rally, brokers said. link

Romanian Dairy Farm Albalact Buys 77% of Local Cheese Producer for Undisclosed Sum Oct 15, 2008, 16:17 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romanian dairy farm Albalact said on Wednesday it has acquired a 77% stake in local cheese producer Raraul Campulung Moldovenesc for un undisclosed sum, to diversify its range of cheese products. link

Romanian Paint, Varnish Maker Policolor Names New Director General Oct 15, 2008, 15:38 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romanian paint and varnish producer Policolor said on Wednesday its board of directors has appointed Achille Angelo Bardelli as the company’s new director general. link

Romania’s Constitutional Court Rules Teachers’ Wage Hike Legal Oct 15, 2008, 14:38 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday said a 50% hike in teachers’ wages, recently adopted by parliament, was legal. link

Romania Postpones Launch of Tender for WiMAX Licences to Nov 3 Oct 15, 2008, 12:46 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Romania has postponed the launch of a tender for two WiMAX licences until November 3 due to an undergoing reorganisation of the country’s telecoms regulator, it said on Tuesday. link

Romanian Institute of Statistics - Consumer Price Index - Sept 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:34 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 100.40% in September 2008 compared to the previous month.The overall average price increase in the last 12 months (October 2007 – September 2008) compared to the previous 12 months (October 2006 – September 2007) which was determined on the basis of CPI amounted to 7.8% and the one determined on the basis of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was 7.9%. link

Romanian Institute of Statistics - International Trade of Goods - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:31 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The international trade of goods in August and the period 1.I-31.VIII 2008 link

Romanian National Institute of Statistics - Industry Statistical Bulletin - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:30 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Romanian National Institute of Statistics has published its monthly industry statistical bulletin for August 2008. link

Romanian National Bank - Developments in Romanian Financial Markets - Oct 6 - 10, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:27 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has released its weekly report on the developments on the local financial markets for the week October 6 - 10, 2008. link

Renault’s 9-mo Dacia Car Sales Rise 17.1% Oct 15, 2008, 11:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - French car maker Renault said on Wednesday worldwide sales under its Romanian brand Dacia increased by an annual 17.1% in the first nine months of the year to 194,165 vehicles. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:55 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews For the second consecutive day, the market continued its rally link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:53 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the news link

Romania Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Dec 23 Oct 15, 2008, 09:47 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 15 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through December 23. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:01 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for October 14, 2008. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 09:00 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its daily RASDAQ market report for October 14, 2008. link

* Serbia *

Serbian Stocks Close Higher But Fresh Falls Lie Ahead Oct 15, 2008, 18:03 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) - The blue-chip index of the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) closed nearly three percent higher on Wednesday, shedding some of the gains it posted in early trading, and brokers expect recession fears will trigger fresh falls in the following days. link

Serbia’s C-bank Says Sells 20 Mln Euro To Slow Dinar Drop Oct 15, 2008, 17:42 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s central bank, NBS, on Wednesday said it sold 20 million euro ($27 million) on the local foreign exchange market in a second attempt this week to slow the weakening of the dinar. link

Montenegro To Offer 76.62% of Clothes Producer Jekon at Starting Price of 1.247 Mln Euro Oct 15, 2008, 16:12 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 15 (SeeNews) – Montenegro said on Wednesday it will offer for sale 76.52% of clothes producer Jekon at a tender, setting the starting price at 1.247 million euro ($1.696 million). link

Finland’s Alma Media Launches City365 Real Estate Portal in Serbia Oct 15, 2008, 15:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – Finnish media group Alma Media said on Wednesday it has launched a real estate portal, City365, in Serbia as part of its expansion in Europe. link

Serbia’s Sept CPI Rises 1.0% M/M, Up 10.9% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 14:00 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), September 15 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s September consumer price inflation slowed down to 10.9% year-on-year from 11.5% in August, the state statistics bureau said on Wednesday. link

Serbian Brewery Apatinska Pivara Starts Export of Jelen Pivo to Cuba Oct 15, 2008, 13:49 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – Serbian brewery Apatinska Pivara, owned by Belgium’s InBev, has launched exports of its top brand Jelen Pivo to Cuba, the company’s brand manager said on Wednesday. link

SERBIA’S SEPT CPI RISES 1.0% M/M, UP 10.9% Y/Y - STATS OFFICE Oct 15, 2008, 13:16 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Serbian Railway Operator Starts 33 Mln Euro EIB-Funded Repairs - Media Oct 15, 2008, 12:01 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – Serbian railways operator Zeleznice Srbije has started 33 million euro ($45 million) reconstruction of a section of a railroad linking Belgrade with the northern town of Sid, state news agency Tanjug reported. link

Serbian Blue Chips Open 5.0% Higher Despite Falls on Global Markets Oct 15, 2008, 11:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – The Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) index opened more than 5.0% higher on Wednesday following two days of huge gains, but brokers expect that the market will cool down later in the day in tune with the negative global trend. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 10:12 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Serbia’s Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews report for October 15, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Serbia Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Dec 30 Oct 15, 2008, 09:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (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

Russian, EU Investors Show Interest in Serbian Casino Hotel - Media Oct 15, 2008, 09:17 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 15 (SeeNews) – Several investors from Russia and the European Union have expressed interest in buying the Casino Hotel and London Cafe, both owned by Serbian diversified holding Invej, state news agency Tanjug reported on Wednesday. link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Oct 14, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 08:58 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Belgrade Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for October 14, 2008. link

Serbia Forms 33/67 JV with Fiat Oct 14, 2008, 20:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 14 (SeeNews) – State-owned Serbian car and truck maker Zastava has teamed up with Italy’s Fiat in a 33/67 joint venture company for production at Zastava’s plants, the economy ministry in Belgrade said on Tuesday. link

Serbian Dinar Closes Tad Weaker, C-bank Refrains from Intervention Oct 14, 2008, 18:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 14 (SeeNews) – The Serbian dinar on Tuesday closed a touch weaker at around 82.15 per euro after the country’s central bank, NBS, refrained from intervening in its support. link

* Slovenia *

Slovenian Share Indices Lose Ground on Profit Taking Oct 15, 2008, 17:54 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Slovenian share indices lost ground on profit taking on Wednesday but brokers expect no steep losses in the following days. link

Slovenia’s New Parliament Elects Speaker - Media Oct 15, 2008, 14:51 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - The Slovenian parliament elected Pavel Gantar as its speaker at its Wednesday’s inaugural session, state-owned news agency STA reported. link

Slovenia’s Pozavarovalnica Sava Names New Management Board Chairman Oct 15, 2008, 12:04 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Slovenian reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava has named Zvonko Ivanusic new chairman of its management board to replace current head Dusan Cec who will retire, the company said on Wednesday. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Production of Early Crops and Fruits - Provisional Data - Oct 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:51 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd According to data on the production of early crops and fruits, this year Slovenia produced more stubble cereals and less other early crops and fruits than last year. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Average Monthly Earnings - Provisional Data - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:49 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Compared to July 2008, average monthly net earnings for August 2008 increased by 2.1% and amounted to EUR 909.12. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Indices of the Value of Construction Put in Place - Provisional Data - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:48 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd In comparison with August 2007, the value of construction put in place in August 2008 increased by more than 9%. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Transport - Aug 2008 Oct 15, 2008, 11:47 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Compared to August 2007, in August 2008 traffic of goods in ports grew considerably, by 26.0%. link

Slovenia’s August Avg Net Salary Rises by Nominal 9.1% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 11:25 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s average net monthly salary was 909.12 euro ($1,240) in August, 9.1% higher on the year in nominal terms, the Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

Slovenia’s August Construction Output Up Real 9.3% Y/Y - Table Oct 15, 2008, 11:19 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s August construction output, measured by the value of completed projects, rose by a real 9.3% year-on-year, the Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - Oct 15 - Nov 6 Oct 15, 2008, 08:46 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 15 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through November 6. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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