Centro Studi Europa dell’Est - notiziario del 19.02.2008 - powered by www.seenews.com

NOTIZIARIO DEL 19.02.2008

* ALBANIA *

Albania Puts Up for Sale 85% of Oil Refinery ARMO Feb 19, 2008, 13:18 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Albania said on Tuesday it has offered for sale 85% of its sole oil refinery and oil distributor ARMO. link

U.S., Albania Say They Recognise Kosovo’s Independence Feb 18, 2008, 19:39 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 18 (SeeNews) - The United States and Albania on Monday said they recognized the independence of Kosovo, a day after the ethnically divided Serbian province proclaimed its secession from Serbia. link

* BOSNIA *

Bosnia Federation 2007 Tourist Numbers Up 18% - Table Feb 19, 2008, 12:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists staying in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation last year rose by 18% to 347,320, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia, EU To Sign Agreement on 440 Mln Euro Pre-Accession Aid on Wednesday Feb 19, 2008, 17:50 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) – Bosnia and the European Commission will sign a framework agreement on Wednesday setting the rules for the Balkan country to use 440 million euro ($648 million) of EU pre-accession assistance, the Commission’s delegation to Bosnia said on Tuesday. link

Bosnia’s Federation Jan Industrial Output Rises 7.8% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2008, 10:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - The industrial output of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose by 7.8% year-on-year in January, official statistics indicated on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Dec Avg Net Salary Up 0.3% M/M - Table Feb 19, 2008, 10:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - The average net monthly salary in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose 0.3% month-on-month in December to 696.74 marka ($522/354 euro), after increasing by 2.3% in November, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Dec Jobless Numbers Down 0.7% M/M, Up 1.4% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2008, 11:16 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - Unemployed in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in December numbered 367,570, down 0.7% month-on-month and 1.4% up on the year, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Jan CPI Rises 1.26% M/M, Up 6.35% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2008, 11:31 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) – January consumer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose by 1.26% month-on-month and were up 6.35% on the year, the Federal Statistics Office said on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Jan Producer Prices Rise 1.4% M/M, Up 3.9% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2008, 12:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - Producer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose by 1.4% month-on-month in January, after edging down by 0.1% in December, official statistics indicated on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – Feb 19 - May 9 Feb 19, 2008, 10:00 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through May 9. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* BULGARIA *

Bulgarian Internet Advertising Group EasyTrader Sells 40% Stake to Local Agency Awsum Interactive Feb 18, 2008, 18:58 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian Internet advertising provider EasyTrader has sold a 40% stake to Awsum Interactive, a local interactive agency for web marketing and web business development, for an undisclosed sum, EasyTrader’s managing director said on Monday. link

BSE - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Feb 18, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 09:18 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews BSE-Sofia has received an application for listing of an issue of bonds as follows:- Issuer: HypoCredit AD-Sofia- ISIN: BG2100038079- Amount of the issue: EUR 6,000,000- Number of bonds: 6,000- BSE code of the issue: BHCB5 link

Elana - Research Note - Sparky AD IPO, Nov 21, 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 09:32 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sparky AD – Public Offering of 10% link

BULGARIA’S PETROL HOLDING SAYS TO JOIN WITH U.S. FEDERAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OVER $3.0 BLN INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE IN 10 YRS Feb 19, 2008, 13:30 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria’s Petrol Holding To Team Up with U.S. Federal Development for Over $3.0 Bln Investments in Real Estate Feb 19, 2008, 13:41 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Petrol Holding, the majority owner of the country’s largest fuel retailer Petrol, said on Tuesday it will form a joint venture with U.S.-based real estate developmer and asset manager Federal Development for the development of mixed-use real estate projects in Bulgaria, planning investments of over $3.0 billion (2.0 billion euro) in ten years. link

Bulgaria’s Agria Group Holding to Start Trading on Sofia Stock Exchange in March Feb 19, 2008, 13:49 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Trading in the shares of Bulgaria’s Agria Group Holding on the Sofia stock exchange is expected to begin in early March, the issue manager said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian CSIF To Invest Over 500 Mln Euro in Green Energy, Real Estate, Financial Services by End-2012 Feb 19, 2008, 14:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian fund CSIF plans to invest more than 500 million euro ($737 million) in green energy, real estate and financial services by the end of 2012 at the latest, the company’s owner said on Tuesday. link

UPDATE 1 - Bulgaria’s Petrol Holding To Team Up with U.S. Federal Development for Over $3.0 Bln Investments in Real Estate Feb 19, 2008, 14:34 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, quotes) link

Swiss Flag Carrier To Launch Flights to Bulgaria in March Feb 19, 2008, 14:51 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) – Switzerland’s national airlines Swiss on Tuesday said they will launch Zurich-Sofia-Zurich daily flights starting March 30. link

Finland’s Outotec Wins Equipment Deals for Over 21 Mln Euro in Bulgaria, Brazil Feb 19, 2008, 15:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Finnish mining technology firm Outotec on Tuesday said it has won two deals worth more than 21 million euro ($31 million) to provide equipment to the Bulgarian unit of Belgian metals group Cumerio and the Brazilian operation of Australian mineral exploration company Mirabela Nickel. link

Bulgarian Steel Mill Kremikovtzi Says To Find Strategic Partners in Three Months Feb 19, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest steel mill Kremikovtzi, majority owned by Global Steel Holdings Limited (GSHL), on Tuesday said it expects to lure strategic partners to the company within three months. link

Bulgarian Software Firm Bianor To Set Up JV with Germany’s TechniData Feb 19, 2008, 18:36 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian software firm Bianor Holding on Tuesday said it will launch a 51:49 joint venture company with German compliance management solutions provider TechniData in April. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Direct Investments - Jan-Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 14:31 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews According to preliminary data, the Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for the period January – December 2007 amounted to EUR 5,687.1 million (19.9% of GDP) compared to EUR 4,364 million (17.4% of GDP) attracted in January – December 2006. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Macroeconomic Indicators - Feb 15, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 14:14 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published a statistical report on the country’s main macroeconomic indicators as of February 15, 2008. link

Bulgarian FinMin - Financial Implementation of ISPA Programme - Jan 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 13:12 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Finance Ministry has published its monthly report on the Financial Implementation of ISPA Programme as of January 31, 2008. link

Bulgarian FinMin - Govt Debt Management Report - Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 13:24 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 1. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES ISSUES link

Bulgarian FinMin - Republican Budget - Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 13:30 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews BULGARIA: REPUBLICAN BUDGET AS OF 31.12.2007 link

Bulgarian FinMin - Consolidated Fiscal Programme - Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 13:40 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Finance Ministry has published its monthly report on the consolidated fiscal programme as of December 31, 2007. link

Bulgarian FinMin - Fiscal Reserve Account - Dec 31, 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 13:44 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews FISCAL RESERVE ACCOUNT as of 31.12.2007 link

Bulgarian National Bank - Balance of Payments - Jan-Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 14:13 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Current and Capital AccountIn the period January – December 2007, the Current and Capital account deficit was EUR 5,847.4 million (20.5% of GDP), against a deficit of EUR 3,755.1 million (15% of GDP) for the same period in 2006. link

Bulgarian National Bank - External Sector Indicators - Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 14:20 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published a statistical report on external sector indicators for November 2007. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Balance of Payments - Jan-Dec 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 14:28 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Current and Capital AccountIn the period January – December 2007, the Current and Capital account deficit was EUR 5,847.4 million (20.5% of GDP), against a deficit of EUR 3,755.1 million (15% of GDP) for the same period in 2006. link

KD Securities - Sofia Stock Exchange Weekly Report - Feb 11 - 15, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 09:46 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1. SOFIA STOCK EXCHANGE EVOLUTION link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Feb 18, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:10 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UPThe Friday session was a rather quiet one as the volumescontinued to tighten and most of the issues stayed close to their previous closings. SOFIX and BG40 declined, reaching 1421.82 (-0.21%) and 405.97 (-0.25%) respectively. The top gainer in SOFIX was (ELARG, BGN 2.35, +2.13%) with more than 217k traded. The index received further support from Toplivo (TOPL, BGN 21.30, +1.43%) and M+S Hydraulics (MCH, BGN 11.69, +0.78%). The equally weighted BGTR30 gained the minor 0.05% to 927.28 bps after the up moves from (HIKA, BGN 8.89, +4.81%) and Holding Varna (HVAR, BGN 38.53, +2.75%) were almost offset by Eurohold Bulgaria (EUBG, BGN 5.51, -3.08%) and Bulgarian Real Estate Fund (BREF, BGN 1.95, -2.01%). Vouchers moved in opposite directions as PKB lost 4.11% to BGN 0.4506 while KZ and GKZ advanced to 0.4350 (+0.65%) and 0.4200 (+2.44%) respectively. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Feb 18, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:41 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET HIGHLIGHTSThe week began in the redfor most positions on BSE. The activity remained subdued as well as the previous sessions. The number of deals significantly decreased as the most traded company Eurohold Bulgaria (EUBG: 5.51; - 0.54%) was subject of only 91 deals. The public offering of Sparky AD on Tuesday could attracted the market’s attention as well as new shares of the recent capital increase of Central Cooperative Bank (CCB: 7.04; -1.81%) and Sparky Eltos (ELTOS: 13.35; -1.33%). Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity Fund (ELARG: 2.30; 0.00%) set up almost 40% of the daily turnover under strong investors’ interest. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:48 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UPThe week started with a rather boring session where seemed that almost nothing is happening. The volumes dropped to very low levels that we haven’t seen for months. The only company that seemed to sustain the investor’s interest was Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity Fund REIT (ELARG, BGN 2.30, -2.13%) where more than 671k shares changed hands. Among the other losers in SOFIX were Central Cooperative Bank (CCB, BGN 7.00, -2.23%) and M+S Hydraulics (MCH, BGN 11.42, -2.34%) which together “helped” the index to close at 1407.78 (-0.99%). BG40 403.06 (-0.72%) and BGTR30 918.84 bps (- 0.91%) also closed in the red zone as the losers definitely outnumbered the gainers although the changes were more or less moderate. Still the ones to lose most were Polimeri (POLIM, BGN 7.00, -6.64%), Bulgarian American Credit Bank (BACB, BGN 66.00, -2.94%) and Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB, BGN 7.00, -2.23%). link

Bulgarian Stock Indices End Mostly Up in Lifeless Trading Feb 19, 2008, 15:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), February 19 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian stock indices ended mostly up on Tuesday in uneventful trading, brokers said. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 16:43 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET HIGHLIGHTSA consecutive day with nothing happened on BSE. Even the several corporate events couldn’t move the market or to attract investors’ attention. The lethargy obsessed most positions and they traded in thin volumes for several sessions. SOFIX entered briefly in negative territory before finished back into the green. Among companies in focus Enemona (ENM: 20.75; +0.29%) enjoyed market’s attention but stayed hardly changed. Recently, First Investment Bank (FIB: 10.00; -0.50%) announced the appointment of General Meeting of shareholders on March, 31. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - May 18 Feb 19, 2008, 09:40 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 May 18. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

STS Finance - Daily FX Analysis - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:28 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Dollar rebound on low liquidity – 19th of February, 2008 link

* CROAZIA *

Carlsberg Croatia Boosts Total 2007 Sales Volume by 15% Feb 19, 2008, 16:18 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Carlsberg Croatia, a subsidiary of Danish brewer Carlsberg, on Tuesday reported a 15% rise in its total sales volume in 2007 to 653,893 hectolitres. link

Croatian ICF Aims To Almost Quadruple Brokerage Turnover by 2012, Takes Over Arhivanalitika Feb 19, 2008, 18:12 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) – Croatian financial group ICF said on Tuesday it aims to almost quadruple its brokerage turnover to reach one billion euro in 2012, and has taken over local research and consultancy company Arhivanalitika as part of plans to prepare for the EU market. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - Feb 18, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:13 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment:Croatian capital market started the week with CROBEX decreasing to 3994,8 pts or 0,4% lower than on Friday’s closing time. Last time CROBEX ended bellow 4000 pts on 21st of March, 2007. Investors caution with reference to political uncertainty related to Kosovo’s declaration of independence left trace on Zagreb Stock Exchange as total turnover amounted to only HRK 42 million. Furthermore, CPI data were released today showing an increase of 6,2% yoy. Biggest increase was recorded in Food and non-alcoholic group which soared by 11,2% yoy. Construction and engineering company INGRA (INGR-R-A) was among rare liquid gainers today increasing by 1,4%. On Friday, INGRA announced its attention to enter ownership structure of Macedonian construction company GP Mavrovo. According to an interview with Co’s CEO, this strategic alliance would allow them to enter new foreign markets and improve their position on their current markets. Beside domestic contracts, GP Mavrovo is currently also present on Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian market. Recent growth of BDI helped Dubrovnik based Atlantska plovidba (ATPL-R-A) and Pula based Uljanik plovidba (ULPL-R-A) to finish in black increasing 1.0% and 2.0% respectively. We expect these stocks to outperform market due to the BDI recovery which has been growing for 8 days in a row. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:39 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Croatia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - May 15 Feb 19, 2008, 09:49 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 May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Croatia Sells T-Bills Below Target, Yields Flat Feb 19, 2008, 14:27 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s Finance Ministry on Tuesday sold 130 million kuna ($26.3 million/17.9 million euro) in two Treasury bill issues, below its target volume of 150 million kuna, as yields were unchanged. link

* MACEDONIA *

Macedonia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - Nov 28 Feb 19, 2008, 09:54 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 November 28. link

* MOLDOVA *

Yields Fall on Moldovan T-Bills Feb 19, 2008, 17:16 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Moldovan central bank, BNM, sold 53 million lei ($4.7 million/3.2 million euro) in three Treasury bill issues as yields on all three issues fell, it said on Tuesday. link

* MONTENEGRO *

Montenegrin President To Give Mandate To Form New Government on Wednesday Feb 19, 2008, 17:37 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), February 19 (SeeNews) – Montenegro’s President, Filip Vujanovic, will offer a mandate to form a new government on Wednesday after Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic resigned for health reasons last month, the president’s website reported on Tuesday. link

* ROMANIA *

STOCKWATCH - Raiffeisen Capital & Investment Puts Romania’s Alumil Rom Industry Stock Under Review Feb 19, 2008, 11:14 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Raiffeisen Capital & Investment (RCI) said it has put Romanian aluminium processor and distributor Alumil Rom Industry stock under review after the company released its preliminary results for the fourth quarter of 2007 and for the full year. link

Romania Sells Research Institute Master for 22.8 Mln Lei (6.3 Mln Euro) Feb 19, 2008, 12:13 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania’s privatisation agency, AVAS, said on Tuesday it sold its 66.69% stake in research institute Master to a local consortium made of the institute’s employee association and car dealer Radacini, for 22.8 million lei ($9.2 million/6.3 million euro). link

Czech Investment Fund PPF Investments Plans To Sell Two Romanian Insurance Co – Media Feb 19, 2008, 12:36 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Czech investment fund PPF Investments plans to sell two Romanian insurers, Ardaf and RAI Asigurari, for a total price of between 70 million and 90 million euro ($103 million-$132 million), a Bucharest-based daily on Tuesday quoted market sources as saying. link

Austria’s A-TEC Industries Says Wins 220 Mln Euro Order from Romania’s Turceni Power Complex Feb 19, 2008, 12:51 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Energy & Environment, the plant construction division of Austrian industrial group A-TEC Industries, has won a 220 million euro ($324 million) deal to build a flue gas desulphurisation plant for Romanian state-owned thermal power complex Turceni, the group said on Tuesday. link

Romania’s Jan Passenger Car Output Rises 62% Y/Y Feb 19, 2008, 12:55 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania’s automobile industry manufactured 24,262 passenger cars in January, up 62% on the year, the Romanian Car Producers and Importers Association (APIA) said on Tuesday. link

Romania January New Car Sales Up 38% Y/Y - Table Feb 19, 2008, 13:55 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Sales of new passenger cars in Romania rose by 38% on the year to 19,712 in January, the Romanian Car Producers and Importers Association, APIA, said on Tuesday. link

Romania Gets Seven Bids for Construction of Sibiu City Beltway Feb 19, 2008, 15:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Transport Ministry on Tuesday said it received seven bids for the construction of the beltway of the city of Sibiu estimated to cost 42 million euro ($61.9 million) by the February 18 deadline. link

Austrian Insurer Grawe’s Romanian Arm Sees 2008 Gross Premium Income Rising 30% Feb 19, 2008, 15:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - The Romanian unit of Austrian insurer Grawe expects its gross premium income to rise by 30% this year from the 101.4 million lei ($41.0 million/27.9 million euro) it reported for 2007. link

Romanian Port Operator Socep Plans To Pay 0.0147 Lei (0.004 Euro) per Share Gross Dividend for 2007 Feb 19, 2008, 16:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romanian Black Sea port operator Socep on Tuesday proposed to pay a gross dividend of 0.0147 lei ($0.006/0.004 euro) per share for 2007 after it did not pay any dividend for the previous year. link

Romania Awards Local Consortia 61 Mln Euro Contracts to Build, Upgrade Railroad Bridges Feb 19, 2008, 16:49 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) – Romania’s state railways company, CFR, has awarded two local consortia contracts worth a total 60.74 million euro ($89.39 million) to upgrade and build railway bridges in the country, the Transport Ministry said on Tuesday. link

Romania’s Carpatcement ’07 Turnover Rises 31% to 363 Mln Euro/Doubled Capacity Planned by 2011 Feb 19, 2008, 17:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Carpatcement, a Romanian unit of German building material and cement maker HeidelbergCement, on Tuesday reported a 31% rise in 2007 turnover from its three Romanian divisions to 363 million euro ($534.9 million). link

Romanian Electrical Equipment Manufacturer Electroputere Plans to Cut Loss in 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 18:28 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romanian electrical equipment manufacturer Electroputere on Tuesday said it expects to cut its gross loss to 19.97 million lei ($8.1 million/5.5 million euro) in 2008 on a turnover of 277.64 million lei but gave no comparative figures. link

EIF, Romania Sign Deal To Help SMEs Absorb EU Funds Feb 19, 2008, 18:33 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - The European Investment Fund (EIF) said on Tuesday it has signed a memorandum with Romania’s Finance Ministry to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) absorb European Union funds up to 2013 under the JEREMIE initiative. link

Romanian INS - Monthly Report, Dec 2007 - Part IX , Short-term Indicators Feb 19, 2008, 11:37 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews C. Short-term indicatorsAccording to the estimations made in January 2008 by the managers of the companies, for the next three months, in comparison with the previous months, a moderate growth of activity in manufacturing and retail, a growth in the services sector and a stability trend in the construction activity are expected.For January– March 2008 period, the managers of manufacturing enterprises estimate a growth of production volume (short-term balance +6%). The number of employees per total manufacturing will register a slight decrease trend (short-term balance -6%). Prices of industrial products will register a growth in the next period too (short-term balance +34%).According to January 2008 estimations, in the construction activity, a stability trend of production volume (short-term balance -1%) and of the number of employees (short-term balance -3%) is foreseen in the next three months. Prices of construction works will rise (short-term balance +45%). For January March 2008 period, the managers of trade companies estimate a growth of goods’ sales per total activity (short-term balance +27%). For the next three months, employers foresee a slight increase trend in the number of employees (short-term balance +12%). Retail selling prices will further increase in the next three months (short-term balance +41). According to January20087 estimations, the demand of services (turnover) will continue to experience an upward trend in the next three months too (short-term balance +32%). For January– March 2008, the surveyed persons who work in this field forecast a slight increase in the number of employees (short-term balance +14%). In the managers’ opinion, the costs for provisions of services will register a growth (short-term balance +34%). link

Romanian INS - Monthly Report, Dec 2007 - Part V Sectorial Evolutions, Foreign Trade Feb 19, 2008, 11:00 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 4. Foreign trade link

Romanian INS - Monthly Report, Dec 2007 - Part VI Sectorial Evolutions, Tourism Feb 19, 2008, 11:16 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 5. Tourism5.1. Comparison with the same month of the previous yearIn December 2007, as compared to December 2006, the arrivals in establishments of tourist reception with functions of tourist accommodation were by 12.5% higher.The overnights in establishments of tourist reception with functions of tourist accommodation increased in December 2007 by 16.6% as against December 2006.In December 2007, the index of net use of accommodation places was 26.4% per total establishments of tourist reception with functions of tourist accommodation, increasing by 2.6 percentage points as against December 2006. High values of this index were registered for hotels (29.5%). By touristic areas, the highest index was for watering resorts.In December 2007, the foreign visitors’ arrivals in Romania registered at the borders have increased by 24.0% as against December 2006. Most of foreign visitors come from European countries (96.2%); 62.9% of total foreign visitors arrivals in Romania come fro m EU countries.In December 2007, the Romanian visitors’ departures abroad registered at the borders have increased by 21.3% as compared to December 2006. Road transport means were mostly used by Romanian visitors for departures abroad (77.6% of total departures). link

Romanian INS - Monthly Report, 2007 - Part VIII Sectorial Evolutions, Earnings Feb 19, 2008, 11:26 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 6. EarningsIn December 2007, the gross nominal average earning per total economy was lei 1730 and the net one was lei 1266, increasing as against the previous month by 13.7% and 12.9% respectively. link

Romanian INS - Monthly Report, Dec 2007 - Part VIII Sectorial Evolutions, Labour & Employment Feb 19, 2008, 11:33 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 7. Labour force marketThe number of employees(in the units having 4 employees and over) amounted to 4717.2 thousand persons in December 2007, by 17.2 thousand persons less than in November 2007. link

KD Capital Management - Bucharest Stock Exchange - Weekly Report - Feb 11 - 15, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 09:39 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1. STOCK EXCHANGE OVERVIEW link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Feb 18, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:15 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews New declines for the BSE indices link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Weekly - Feb 11 - 15, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:21 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1A. Bucharest Stock Exchange Indicators link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:31 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews HighlightsSTK Emergent IPO - The Initial Public Offering (IPO)of closed-end investment fund STK Emergent starts today. The subscription period will end on March 10, 2008. link

Romanian Bourse Indices Close Mixed, Investment Fund Lose More Ground Feb 19, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romanian share indices closed mixed in slightly higher turnover on Tuesday, and the BET-FI index, which only tracks the country’s five regional investment funds (SIFs), fell for a third day in a row, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - May 15 Feb 19, 2008, 09:26 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 May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Romania Says Will Not Recognise Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence Feb 19, 2008, 10:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania will not recognise Kosovo’s independence, the country’s Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu said late on Monday, a day after the province proclaimed its independence from Serbia. link

Romanian Leu Ends Stable vs Euro Feb 19, 2008, 16:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania’s leu ended stable against the euro on Tuesday in low trading volumes, dealers said. link

* SERBIA *

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Feb 19, 2008 Feb 19, 2008, 10:43 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for February 19, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Belgrade Indices Fall amid Political Tension, Metals Banka Lifts Total Turnover Feb 19, 2008, 18:05 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices ended lower in much higher turnover on Tuesday and the market remains under the influence of Kosovo’s independence proclamation, brokers said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - Feb 19 - May 18 Feb 19, 2008, 10:29 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 18. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

U.N. Urges Peace After Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence Feb 19, 2008, 08:54 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged late on Monday restraint from violence after the U.N.-run province of Kosovo declared its secession from Serbia the previous day. link

Romania Says Will Not Recognise Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence Feb 19, 2008, 10:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), February 19 (SeeNews) - Romania will not recognise Kosovo’s independence, the country’s Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu said late on Monday, a day after the province proclaimed its independence from Serbia. link

UK, France, Turkey Recognise Kosovo as Independent State Feb 19, 2008, 11:44 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - The United Kingdom, France and Turkey recognised Kosovo as an independent state a day after the U.N.-run province declared its secession from Serbia, Kosovo said on Tuesday. link

UK, Belgium, Bulgaria To Recognise Kosovo Feb 18, 2008, 19:12 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA (Serbia), February 18 (SeeNews) - EU members The United Kingdom, Belgium and Bulgaria will recognise Kosovo as an independent state after the Serbian province proclaimed its independence on Sunday, the three countries’ foreign ministers said on Monday. link

U.S., Albania Say They Recognise Kosovo’s Independence Feb 18, 2008, 19:39 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), February 18 (SeeNews) - The United States and Albania on Monday said they recognized the independence of Kosovo, a day after the ethnically divided Serbian province proclaimed its secession from Serbia. link

Serbia PM Recalls Ambassador from U.S. after Washington Recognises Kosovo’s Independence Feb 18, 2008, 21:06 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 18 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s Prime Minister on Monday recalled the country’s ambassador to the United States, Ivan Vujic, several hours after Washington recognised the independence of the ethnically divided Serbian province of Kosovo. link

UPDATE 1 - Serbia PM Recalls Ambassador from U.S. after Washington Recognises Kosovo’s Independence Feb 18, 2008, 21:17 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds quotes) Serbia Urges UN Security Council to Cancel Kosovo Independence Proclamation Feb 18, 2008, 21:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 18 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s President Boris Tadic urged on Monday the United Nations Security Council to cancel the unilateral declaration of independence by the ethnically divided Serbian province of Kosovo. [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/serbiaurgesunsecuritycounciltocancelkosovoindependenceproclamation-213936" class="spip_out">link

Serbia’s Parliament Votes To Cancel Kosovo Independence Proclamation Feb 19, 2008, 09:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s Parliament voted on Monday night on a resolution that cancels the unilateral proclamation of independence by the ethnically divided Serbian province of Kosovo. link

Serbia Recalls Ambassadors after U.S., France, Turkey Recognise Kosovo’s Independence Feb 19, 2008, 18:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), February 19 (SeeNews) – The Serbian government said on Tuesday it has recalled the country’s ambassadors to the United States, France and Turkey after these countries said they recognise the secession of the province of Kosovo from Serbia. link

* SLOVENIA *

Slovenia’s Pivovarna Lasko Doubles 2007 Parent Net Profit to Prelim 12 Mln Euro - Table Feb 19, 2008, 13:37 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s largest brewer, blue chip Pivovarna Lasko, on Tuesday reported a parent net profit of a preliminary 12.086 million euro ($17.67 million) for 2007, up from 6.093 million euro a year earlier, as sales also increased. link

UPDATE 1 - Slovenia’s Pivovarna Lasko Doubles 2007 Parent Net Profit to Prelim 12 Mln Euro Feb 19, 2008, 14:45 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, share price) link

Slovenia’s NKBM Bank Posts 2007 Parent Net Profit of Prelim 42.4 Mln Euro Feb 19, 2008, 14:57 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s second largest bank by assets, Nova Kreditna Banka Maribor (NKBM), on Tuesday reported a parent net profit of a preliminary 42.4 million euro ($61.99 million) for last year. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Remain Almost Unchanged in Higher Turnover Feb 19, 2008, 17:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices remained almost unchanged in higher turnover on Tuesday and brokers expect more positive mood this week as foreign investors are returning to the bourse. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - Feb 19-May 15 Feb 19, 2008, 09:42 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 19 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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