Countries:

* Albania *

Albanian Industrial Confederation Considers Signing Partnership Deal With Italy’s Enel Feb 19, 2009, 17:17 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Confederation of Albania Industries Konfindustria is in talks with Italy’s energy group Enel on signing a deal to support the Italian company in its project to build a coal-fired power plant in Albania, a Konfindustria official said on Thursday. link

Japan’s NEC To Deploy Broadband Access Network for Albania’s Albtelecom Feb 19, 2009, 14:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Japanese Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions provider NEC said on Thursday it will deploy a broadband access network for Albanian fixed-line monopoly Albtelecom aimed at raising its efficiency for an undisclosed price. link

Albania Launches $3.2 Mln Cultural Heritage Project Feb 19, 2009, 13:54 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Albania has launched a $3.2 million (2.55 million euro) project aimed at preserving its cultural heritage, the embassy of Spain, which finances the project, said. link

Albania’s Q3 Public Sector Salaries Rise 1.24% Y/Y - Stats Office Feb 19, 2009, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - The average monthly salary in Albania’s public sector was 36,093 leks ($349/277 euro) in the third quarter of 2008, up 1.24% from a year earlier, data of the National Statistics Institute showed. link

Albania’s Q3’08 Jobless Rate Eases to 12.62% from 13.18% Year Ago - Table Feb 19, 2009, 11:09 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Albania’s unemployment rate fell to 12.62% in the third quarter of 2008 from 13.18% a year earlier, data of the country’s statistics institute INSTAT showed. link

ALBANIA’S JOBLESS RATE EASES TO 12.62% IN Q3’08 VS 13.18% IN Q3’07 Feb 19, 2009, 10:58 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Albania To Auction 8.0 Bln Leks (62 Mln Euro) in 12-mo T-bills on Tuesday Feb 19, 2009, 09:36 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction 8.0 billion leks ($77.3 million/61.5 million euro) in 12-month Treasury bills on February 24, the bank said on Thursday. link

* Bosnia *

Bosnia’s Investigation Service Suspects Serb Republic PM of 74 Mln Euro Fraud - Media Feb 19, 2009, 18:31 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s State Agency for Investigation and Protection, SIPA, has asked the Procecutor’s Office to bring charges against the Prime Minister of the Serb Republic Milorad Dodic and other officials over suspected fraud involving 145 million marka ($93 million/74 million euro) of state funds, local media reported on Thursday. link

Bosnia’s Serb Republic Adopts 41 Mln Euro Plan To Support Farming Sector in 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 17:21 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) – The government of Bosnia’s Serb Republic said on Thursday it has adopted an 80 million marka ($51 million/41 million euro) plan to stimulate local agriculture and rural areas this year. link

Bosnia’s Federation Eyes up to 51 Mln Euro in Annual Revenue from New Road Tax Feb 19, 2009, 15:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) – Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation expects to rake in 80 to 100 million marka ($51-64 million/41-51 million euro) in annual revenue after the planned introduction of an additional road tax, a road directorate official said on Thursday. link

Bosnia’s Federation Plans to Invest 21 Mln Euro in Its Road Network in 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 12:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) – The government of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation said it plans to invest 41.5 million marka ($27 million/21 million euro) in its road network this year. link

Bosnia’s Biggest Power Utility To Invest 34.5 Mln Euro in DBOT Concessions on 17 Small Hydropower Plants Feb 19, 2009, 12:04 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s largest state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda BiH, said on Thursday it will invest 67.5 million marka ($43.4 million/34.5 million euro) in design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) concessions on 17 small hydropower plants. link

Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Household Budget Survey - Final Results - 2007 Feb 19, 2009, 11:45 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd INTRODUCTION 1.1. General information link

Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Labour Force Survey - 2008 Feb 19, 2009, 11:43 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd INTRODUCTION link

Institute of Statistics of the Bosnian Serb Republic - Sown Areas - Autumn 2008 Feb 19, 2009, 11:22 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Total sown areas in autumn of 2008, are 72 426 ha, which is 21.2% increased compared to 2007. link

Institute of Statistics of the Bosnian Serb Republic - Consumer Price Index - Jan 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 11:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Consumer Price Index link

* Bulgaria *

Bulgaria, Romania To Launch Feasibility Study on Building Interconnection Gas Pipeline Feb 19, 2009, 17:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria, hardest hit by the latest cut in Rissian gas supplies to Europe, and neighbouring Romania have agreed to launch a feasibility study for the construction of a interconnection gas pipeline, the Bulgarian state-owned energy group Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) said on Thursday. link

Austrian, German Cos Mull Relocation to Romania, Bulgaria To Cut Labour Costs Feb 19, 2009, 17:42 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Austrian and German companies from different sectors of the economy may move their operations to Black Sea neighbours Bulgaria and Romania in a bid to reduce labour costs, German consultancy company Keinbaum said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian Stocks Extend Losses in Dull Trading Feb 19, 2009, 17:25 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian share indices fell for a fourth day running on Thursday amid sluggish trading and low volumes, brokers said. link

INTERVIEW - Bulgaria Exposed to Hard Landing in 2009 - ING Economist Feb 19, 2009, 17:22 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian economy risks a hard landing this year due to the global crisis, however, it looks firm when compared with those of some other countries in Eastern Europe, ING economist Charles Robertson said. link

Planned Rise in Bulgaria’s Public Sector Wages in Doubt - Fin Min Feb 19, 2009, 16:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - A ten-percent increase of the wages in Bulgaria’s public sector planned for June is uncertain, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian-American Credit Bank To Retain 2008 Non-Cons After-Tax Profit of 26 Mln Euro Feb 19, 2009, 16:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Blue chip Bulgarian-American Credit Bank (BACB) said on Thursday it will retain its 2008 audited non-consolidated after-tax profit of 50.9 million levs ($32.7 million/26 million euro). link

EU Asks Bulgaria To Exempt from Tax Bonds Issued Abroad Feb 19, 2009, 15:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) – The European Commission said on Thursday it has requested Bulgaria to grant tax exemption for bonds issued abroad to make its tax policy in the field compatible with the rules for free movement of capital in the European Union. link

BULGARIAN-AMERICAN CREDIT BANK SAYS WILL RETAIN 26 MLN EURO IN 2008 AFTER-TAX PROFIT Feb 19, 2009, 15:20 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria To Pay Compensations to Employees Facing Reduced Working Hours Feb 19, 2009, 13:47 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s government will pay compensations to employees that have been placed on reduced working hours due to the economic crisis, a move that aims to prevent job losses, Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian Satellite TV Provider Bulsatcom Mulls Entering Macedonia – Media Feb 19, 2009, 13:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) –Bulgarian satellite television provider Bulsatcom mulls entering the Macedonian market, Bulgarian daily Dnevnik reported on Thursday. link

Bulgaria’s Jan Jobless Rate Falls to 6.5% from 7.38% Year Ago Feb 19, 2009, 12:45 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s January unemployment rate fell to 6.5% from 7.38% a year earlier but was higher than a month earlier, official statistics showed on Thursday. link

BULGARIA’S JAN JOBLESS RATE AT 6.5% VS 7.38% YR-AGO, 6.27% IN DEC - GOVT EMPLOYMENT AGENCY Feb 19, 2009, 12:28 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

INTERVIEW – Bulgaria’s MKB Unionbank Bank Sees Pre-tax Profit Rising Some 50% in 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 11:30 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian commercial bank MKB Unionbank, 60%-owned Germany’s Bayerische Landesbank through its Hungarian subsidiary MKB Bank, sees its pre-tax profit rising some 50% to 21 million-22 million levs ($13.5 milion- $14.1 million/10.7 million euro - 11.2 million euro) this year despite the repercussions of the global financial and economic crisis in the country, the bank’s CEO has said. link

Belgium’s Electrabel Drops Bulgarian N-Plant Project - Media Feb 19, 2009, 11:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Belgium’s Electrabel, owned by French power giant GDF Suez, will not enter Bulgaria’s nuclear power plant project Belene after its parent has decided to focus on its other nuclear projects, Reuters reported late on Thursday. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 10:43 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Karoll - Bulgarian Daily Newsletter - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Headlines link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:41 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews BSE-Sofia informs all its members that as of 04.03.2009 shall be inserted a new column in the MS Excel version of the daily bulletin of the Exchange in the section of the bond issues admitted to trade, pointing out the calculated corrector connected to the amortisation payments lying ahead (on the respective issue of bonds). The existing columns T-AD will move then to the right. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:41 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Stock Еxchange has published its daily report on turnover and prices for February 18, 2009. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - Feb 19 – April 6 Feb 19, 2009, 09:13 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bulgaria through April 6. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Tie-in Led by Bulgaria’s Enemona Wins Two Contracts Worth Total 25.5 Mln Euro Feb 18, 2009, 19:25 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian engineering, construction and energy group Enemona said on Wednesday it is part of a consortium which has won two municipal contracts with a combined value of over 50 million levs ($32.1 million/25.5 million euro). link

* Croatia *

Slovenia’s Droga Kolinska Sells Fruit Spread Brand to Croatia’s Podravka Feb 19, 2009, 18:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenian food producer Droga Kolinska has sold its fruit spread brand to Croatian blue-chip food, beverage and drug maker Podravka, the two companies said on Thursday. link

Croatian Share Indices Close Mixed, Turnover Down Feb 19, 2009, 17:51 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The share indices of the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) closed mixed on Thursday, as turnover fell, bourse data showed. link

Croatia’s Jan Industrial PPI Falls 0.1% M/M, Up 1.8% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2009, 16:15 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s January producer price index (PPI) of industrial goods fell 0.1% on the month and was 1.8% higher than a year earlier, the State Statistics Office said on Thursday. link

CROATIA’S JAN PPI -0.1.% M/M, +1.8 Y/Y VS -1.3% M/M, +4.7% Y/Y IN DEC- STATS OFFICE Feb 19, 2009, 16:09 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenian Reinsurer Sava Re Receives Regulatory Approval to Buy Majority Stakes in Two Croatian Insurers Feb 19, 2009, 12:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian financial regulator said on Thursday that it approved the acquisition of local insurers Velebit Osiguranje and Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje by Slovenia’s leading reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava. Pozavarovalnica Sava will acquire stakes of over 50% in Velebit Osiguranje and in Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje, the Croatian Agency for Supervision of Financial Services (HANFA) said in a statement. It did not disclose the price of thre two deals. link

Croatian Ministry of Finance - Budgetary Central Government - Nov 2008 Feb 19, 2009, 11:58 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Croatian Ministry of Finance has published its monthly report on the central government budgetary for January to November 2008. link

Croatian Ministry of Finance - Consolidated Central Government - Nov 2008 Feb 19, 2009, 11:54 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd Croatian Ministry of Finance has released its monthly report on consolidated central government for November 2008. link

Croatia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - March 13 Feb 19, 2009, 11:10 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through March 13. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:46 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Highlights: link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily Insight - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:44 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd After yesterday’s severe losses and contrary to main European benchmarks, domestic stock index experienced slight recovery. CNB (Croatian National Bank) Governor’s statements about the continuation of tight monetary policies especially HRK/EUR rate stabilization and loans growth restrictions had a calming effect on investors. Crobex added 1.8% to its yesterday value closing trading at 1511.38 pts. A slight liquidity improvement is also noticeable as total stock turnover amounted to HRK 32.9 mil. link

* Macedonia *

Croatian Co in 7.5 Mln Euro Deal with Macedonia To Make Electronic Health Cards Feb 19, 2009, 16:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), February 19 (SeeNews) – Macedonia’s Health Ministry said it has selected Croatia’s Agencija za komercijalnu djelatnost (AKD) as the top bidder in a tender for patient electronic health cards, a project worth of 7.5 million euro ($ 9.5 million). link

Macedonia’s January Jobless Numbers Rise 1.5% M/M - Table Feb 19, 2009, 16:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The number of people unemployed in Macedonia in January rose by 1.5% on the month to 348,369 , official data indicated on Thursday. link

IMF Says Weaknesses in Macedonia’s Electricity Sector Pose Macroeconomic Risks Feb 19, 2009, 13:38 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), February 19 (SeeNews) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the weaknesses in Macedonia’s electricity sector pose risks to the country’s macroeconomic stability and its economic efficiency. link

Slovenian Reinsurer Sava Re Receives Regulatory Approval to Buy Majority Stakes in Two Croatian Insurers Feb 19, 2009, 12:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian financial regulator said on Thursday that it approved the acquisition of local insurers Velebit Osiguranje and Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje by Slovenia’s leading reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava. Pozavarovalnica Sava will acquire stakes of over 50% in Velebit Osiguranje and in Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje, the Croatian Agency for Supervision of Financial Services (HANFA) said in a statement. It did not disclose the price of thre two deals. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:49 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Тhe Macedonian Stock exchange has published its daily report on turnover and prices for February 18, 2009. link

Macedonia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - March 19 Feb 19, 2009, 08:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Macedonia through March 19. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Moldova *

Moldova To Export 22,000 T of 2008 Wheat Crop Feb 19, 2009, 16:16 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), February 19 (SeeNews) – Moldova will export 22,000 tonnes of wheat from its 2008 crop, the government’s press office said on Thursday. link

Moldova Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:50 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Moldova Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for February 18, 2009. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - April 5 Feb 19, 2009, 08:58 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Moldova through April 5. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Montenegro *

Slovenian Reinsurer Sava Re Receives Regulatory Approval to Buy Majority Stakes in Two Croatian Insurers Feb 19, 2009, 12:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian financial regulator said on Thursday that it approved the acquisition of local insurers Velebit Osiguranje and Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje by Slovenia’s leading reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava. Pozavarovalnica Sava will acquire stakes of over 50% in Velebit Osiguranje and in Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje, the Croatian Agency for Supervision of Financial Services (HANFA) said in a statement. It did not disclose the price of thre two deals. link

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:51 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The New Securities exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for February 18, 2009. link

CORRECTED - Equest Capital, Northstar Pledge to Invest 210 Mln Euro in Tourism Complex at Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast Feb 18, 2009, 19:12 CET | Story | SeeNews In PODGORICA story "Equest Capital, Northstar Offer 210 Mln Euro To Lease Land for Building Tourism Complex at Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast" please read in the headline "Equest Capital, Northstar Pledge to Invest 210 Mln Euro in Tourism Complex at Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast" (corrects offer). Please note that the first paragraph has also been corrected to comply. link

* Romania *

Romania’s Rompetrol Petrochemicals To Restart HDPE Unit on Feb 20 Feb 19, 2009, 18:15 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Rompetrol Petrochemicals, part of Romania’s second-largest oil group Rompetrol, will resume on February 20 the production of high density polyethylene (HDPE), Rompetrol said on Thursday. link

Romania’s SIF 3 Transilvania Extends Sale Offer for 11.8% of Romanian Shipyard Orsova to Mar 27 Feb 19, 2009, 18:05 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - SIF 3 Transilvania, one of Romania’s five regional investment funds, has extended the period of the secondary offering of its 11.8% stake in Romanian shipyard Santierul Naval Orsova (SNO) by one month to March 27, the intermediary of the offering, Actinvest, said on Thursday. link

Bulgaria, Romania To Launch Feasibility Study on Building Interconnection Gas Pipeline Feb 19, 2009, 17:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria, hardest hit by the latest cut in Rissian gas supplies to Europe, and neighbouring Romania have agreed to launch a feasibility study for the construction of a interconnection gas pipeline, the Bulgarian state-owned energy group Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) said on Thursday. link

Austrian, German Cos Mull Relocation to Romania, Bulgaria To Cut Labour Costs Feb 19, 2009, 17:42 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Austrian and German companies from different sectors of the economy may move their operations to Black Sea neighbours Bulgaria and Romania in a bid to reduce labour costs, German consultancy company Keinbaum said on Thursday. link

Romanian Stocks Soar, Blue Chips Dominate Feb 19, 2009, 17:36 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Romanian stocks strongly gained ground on Thursday in a second straight day of wins, with blue-chip shares dominating the trading, brokers said. link

Romania’s BCR Bank Sees Country’s Bank Cards Mrkt Up At Least 30% in 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - BCR, Romania’s largest bank by assets, said on Thursday it expects the bank cards market in the country to grow by at least 30% this year, keeping last year’s growth pace. link

Romania To Guarantee 80% of Ford Motor’s 400 Mln Euro Investment in Romania – Media Feb 19, 2009, 15:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – The Romanian government will provide guarantee for 80% of the 400 million euro ($50.3 million) investment that U.S. Ford Motor intends to inject in its Romanian unit, Bucharest-based news agency Mediafax reported on Thursday. link

Romanian Helicopter Maker Eurocopter’s Turnover Rises 50% in 2008 Feb 19, 2009, 14:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Eurocopter Romania, a helicopter manufacturer part of European aerospace group EADS, said on Thursday its turnover rose by 50% last year to 32 million euro ($40.2 million). link

Romania Rejects All Bids for 3-Yr T-notes Feb 19, 2009, 14:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Romania rejected all bids, worth a combined 429.3 million lei ($128 million/100.5 million euro), that were placed in Thursday’s auction of three-year Treasury notes, as banks offered low prices, the country’s central bank, BNR, said. link

Austria’s Erste Sees Q4 Loss for Romanian Oil/Gas Group Petrom Feb 19, 2009, 12:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Austria’s Erste Bank said it expects Romanian oil and gas group Petrom to post a loss for the fourth quarter of last year due to strong drop in crude oil price and substantial restructuring costs. link

Allianz-Tiriac Leads Romania’s Insurance Market with 15.8% Share in 2008 - Regulator Feb 19, 2009, 12:45 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romanian insurer Allianz-Tiriac Asigurari was the country’s largest insurer in 2008 in terms of gross written premiums (GWP) with a 15.8% market share, preliminary data from the country’s insurance regulator, CSA, showed on Thursday. link

Romania’s RTC Holding May Lay off 20% of Its Staff in 2009- Media Feb 19, 2009, 11:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romanian diversified group RTC Holding could reduce its staff by 20% this year in case the company’s revenues continue to fall at the same pace as in the last two months, Bucharest-based Ziarul Financiar reported on Thursday. link

Ieba Trust - Company Update - Transelectrica - FY08 Review - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 11:19 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Growth dividend play broadly sell-off amid intensifying adverse market sentiment link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:53 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews WatchlistCMF will resume trading today. link

Ieba Trust - Market Daily Monitor - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:48 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Comment link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:44 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for February 18, 2009. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:43 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its daily RASDAQ market report for February 18, 2009. link

Romania Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - Oct 19 Feb 19, 2009, 08:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through October 19. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Serbia *

Serbia, Russia to Scrap Visas on Friday Feb 19, 2009, 18:46 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) – Serbian and Russian foreign ministers, Vuk Jeremic and Sergei Lavrov, will sign an agreement on Friday on abolishing visas between their countries, the Serbian government said on Thursday. link

Serbia’s C-bank Steps in To Slow Dinar’s Fall - Dealers Feb 19, 2009, 18:33 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) – An intervention by Serbia’s central bank in support of depressed local currency helped the dinar fall only slightly against the euro on Thursday, dealers said. link

Serbian Shares Close Lower, Bambi-Banat Paces Turnover Feb 19, 2009, 16:59 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange, BELEX, dropped again on Thursday amid falling volumes as blue-chip confectionery maker Bambi-Banat notched up the highest daily turnover, a broker said. link

Serbia’s Professional Stock Broker Closes its Brokerage Division Due to Crisis Feb 19, 2009, 12:32 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) – Serbian financial services company Professional Stock Broker said it has closed its brokerage division due to the global financial crisis. link

Slovenian Reinsurer Sava Re Receives Regulatory Approval to Buy Majority Stakes in Two Croatian Insurers Feb 19, 2009, 12:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian financial regulator said on Thursday that it approved the acquisition of local insurers Velebit Osiguranje and Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje by Slovenia’s leading reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava. Pozavarovalnica Sava will acquire stakes of over 50% in Velebit Osiguranje and in Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje, the Croatian Agency for Supervision of Financial Services (HANFA) said in a statement. It did not disclose the price of thre two deals. link

Russian Consortium Backtracks on Purchase of Serbian Hydraulic Equipment Maker Prva Petoletka Feb 19, 2009, 11:58 CET | Story | SeeNews ELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s Privatisation Agency said on Thursday that a Russian-based consortium has backtracked on the purchase of 70% of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment manufacturer Prva Petoletka for 5.0 million euro ($6.3 million) due to the global financial crisis. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - May 1 Feb 19, 2009, 11:35 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through May 1. New or amended entries are marked (*). * Thursday, February 19 – Belgrade: United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Chief Lamberto Zanier arrives in Belgrade to discuss plans for the breakaway province with Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic (1000 GMT) and President Boris Tadic (1200 GMT). link

Serbia’s Jan Restaurant, Hotel Prices Rise 15% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2009, 11:21 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Prices in Serbia’s restaurants and hotels soared by an annual 15% in January and were 2.1% higher than a month earlier, data from the country’s statistics office showed on Thursday. link

Serbia’s 2008 Construction Output Rises by Real 3.4% - Table Feb 19, 2009, 10:56 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s construction output, measured by the value of completed projects, rose by a real 3.4% in 2008, data from the country’s statistics office showed on Thursday. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 10:42 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Serbia’s Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews report for February 19, 2009. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - FX Liquidity GAPS - Feb 19, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 10:41 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Serbia’s Vojvodjanska banka released its FX Liquidity GAPS report for February 19, 2009. link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Feb 18, 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 09:45 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Belgrade Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for February 18, 2009. link

Serbia’s C-bank Says Repo Rate Likely to Remain Flat ’in Coming Period’ Feb 18, 2009, 19:02 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 18 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s central bank said on Wednesday that its repo rate, currently at 16.50%, is likely to remain unchanged ’in the coming period’. link

* Slovenia *

Slovenia’s Droga Kolinska Sells Fruit Spread Brand to Croatia’s Podravka Feb 19, 2009, 18:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenian food producer Droga Kolinska has sold its fruit spread brand to Croatian blue-chip food, beverage and drug maker Podravka, the two companies said on Thursday. link

Slovenia’s Dec Construction Output Falls by Real 4.1% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2009, 13:18 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s December construction output, measured by the value of completed projects, dropped by a real 4.1% year-on-year, the Statistics Office said on Thursday. link

Slovenian Reinsurer Sava Re Receives Regulatory Approval to Buy Majority Stakes in Two Croatian Insurers Feb 19, 2009, 12:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian financial regulator said on Thursday that it approved the acquisition of local insurers Velebit Osiguranje and Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje by Slovenia’s leading reinsurer Pozavarovalnica Sava. Pozavarovalnica Sava will acquire stakes of over 50% in Velebit Osiguranje and in Velebit Zivotno Osiguranje, the Croatian Agency for Supervision of Financial Services (HANFA) said in a statement. It did not disclose the price of thre two deals. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Consumer Survey - Feb 2009 Feb 19, 2009, 10:57 CET | State Agencies Reports | AII Data Processing Ltd In February 2009 the consumer confidence indicator was 6 percentage points higher than in the previous month. link

Slovenian Stocks Fall, Gorenje Leads Blue Chips Down Feb 18, 2009, 18:53 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 18 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices fell for a third day running on Wednesday with most blue chips losing ground, data from the Ljubljana Stock Exchange (LJSE) showed. link

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