Centro Studi Europa dell’Est – news report of 18.03.2008 – powered by www.seenews.com

News report of 18.03.2008

* ALBANIA *

Nokia Siemens Network To Develop Network for Broadband Services for Albania’s Albtelecom Mar 18, 2008, 12:38 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Finland-based Nokia Siemens Networks, a joint venture of Nokia and Siemens, said on Tuesday it signed a contract to develop a network for broadband services for Albania’s fixed line monopoly Albtelecom for an undisclosed sum. link

Albania To Allocate 6.0 Bln Leks (48 Mln Euro) To Rebuild Area Damaged by Blast at Ammunition Dump Mar 18, 2008, 16:13 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Albania said on Tuesday it will allocate 6.0 billion Albanian leks ($76.3 million/48.3 million euro) to finance the reconstruction of the Gerdec area, which was damaged by a chain of explosions at an ammunition dump. link

Albania To Auction 2.5 Bln Leks (20 Mln Euro) of Two-year T-Notes on Tuesday Mar 18, 2008, 09:42 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction on Tuesday 2.5 billion leks ($31.68 million/20.1 million euro) in two-year Treasury notes, the Finance Ministry said. link

Albania Sells 5.5 Bln Leks (40 Mln Euro) in 5-yr T-notes Mar 18, 2008, 10:59 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank sold 5.5 billion leks ($63.4 million/40 million euro) worth of five-year Treasury notes in an auction held last month, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. link

Albania Sells 3.0 Bln Leks (24 Mln Euro) in 3-mo T-Bills, Yields Steady Mar 18, 2008, 15:21 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank sold 3.0 billion leks ($38.12 million/24 million euro) in three-month Treasury bills at an auction held on Tuesday with yields remaining unchanged, the bank said. link

* BOSNIA *

Bosnia Federation Jan Tourist Numbers Up 1.0% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 11:57 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists staying in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in January rose by 1.0% on the year to 17,550, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnian Power Equipment Maker Energoinvest Rasklopna Oprema Cuts 2007 Loss by 38% Mar 18, 2008, 14:39 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - Bosnian power equipment producer Energoinvest Rasklopna Oprema reported on Tuesday a 38% fall in its 2007 loss to 2.39 million marka ($1.88 million/1.19 million euro), as revenue rose faster than costs. link

Bosnia’s Federation Feb Industrial Output Rises 13.7% Y/Y, Up 2.8% M/M - Table Mar 18, 2008, 10:17 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - The industrial output of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in February rose by 13.7% year-on-year and by 2.8% compared to the previous month, official statistics indicated on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Feb CPI Rises 0.42% M/M, Up 6.58% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 10:38 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - February consumer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose by 0.42% month-on-month and were up 6.58% on the year, the Federal Statistics Office said on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Serb Republic Feb CPI Rises 0.3% M/M, Up 5.8% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 11:03 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - February consumer prices in Bosnia’s Serb Republic rose by 0.3% month-on-month and were 5.8% higher on the year, the Republic’s Statistics Office said on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Feb Producer Prices Rise 2.2% M/M, Up 6.0% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 11:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - Producer prices in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose in February by 2.2% month-on-month and were 6.0% higher than in February 2007, official statistics indicated on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Jan Avg Net Salary Up 1.9% M/M - Table Mar 18, 2008, 11:33 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - The average net monthly salary in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation rose 1.9% month-on-month to 709.84 marka ($558/354 euro) in January after going up by 0.3% in December, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Federation Jan Jobless Numbers Fall 0.2% M/M, Down 0.2% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 11:38 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - Unemployed in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation in January numbered 366,705, down 0.2% both month-on-month and on the year, official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - March 18 – Nov 2 Mar 18, 2008, 09:45 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 18 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through November 2. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* BULGARIA *

Bulgaria Keeps Top Rank in Global Q4 House Price Growth Research - Knight Frank Mar 18, 2008, 15:41 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - House price growth in Bulgaria more than doubled to 33.7% in the fourth quarter of 2007, making the country again the top performer in the global rankings of UK-based real estate consultancy Knight Frank, the company said. link

Rents of Office Space in CEE To Keep Rising in 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield Mar 18, 2008, 17:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (Bulgaria) – Rents of office space in central and eastern Europe (CEE) are expected to keep rising in 2008, as more countries in the region are emerging as alternative low-cost office locations, U.S.-based global real estate company Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) said in a report. link

Four Intl Majors Interested in Privatisation of Bulgarian Tobacco Group Bulgartabac – Econ Min Mar 18, 2008, 09:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Four international majors have expressed interest in the privatisation of Bulgarian majority state-owned tobacco group Bulgartabac Holding, Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov said on Tuesday. link

BSE - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Mar 17, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:25 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews HD Dunav AD-Vratsa, BSE code - HDD, has submitted to X3 News the following information:The company has realised a profit on amount of BGN 11,000 as at 31.12.2007.Please, refer to the entire notification available at link link

Belgian Group KBC Acquires Additional 0.33% in Bulgaria’s EIBank in Buyout Bid Mar 18, 2008, 12:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Belgian banking and insurance group KBC has acquired an additional 0.33% in Bulgaria’s Economic and Investment Bank (EIBank) in a buyout bid, around seven times lower than it has sought, KBC said on Tuesday. link

Lufthansa Sees Double-Digit Growth in 2008 Passenger Numbers in Bulgaria, To Expand Flights in SEE Mar 18, 2008, 13:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - German air carrier Lufthansa expects a double-digit rise in the number of passengers it carries to and from Bulgaria in 2008 thanks to adding new flights, a company official said on Tuesday. link

Lithuanian Retail Chain Maxima Group Plans to Open 16 Stores in Bulgaria by end-2008 Mar 18, 2008, 13:27 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Lithuanian retail chain Maxima Group plans to open 16 stores in Bulgaria under the T-Market brand this year, a company official said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Banking System Balance Sheets - Jan 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 15:01 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the first month of 2008, the total assets in the banking system marked a decrease under the impact of seasonal factors. In January the balance sheet total of the system decreased by BGN 2.1 billion down to BGN 57 billion after the intensified bank activities at the end of 2007. In the month under analysis, the greatest reduction in absolute terms is evidenced in the loans and receivables (including financial leases) and in the cash and cash balances with central banks. A drop is also reported in two of the securities portfolios – by the financial assets available for sale and by those held for trading. The dynamics of balance sheet assets is determined by the changes in the group of five leading credit institutions. The reduction reported by the Group 1 banks has resulted in a slight contraction of their share in the balance sheet total of the banking system, which was 55.9% as of end-January. Compared to the same month of the previous year, the assets of the banking sec tor have increased by BGN 15.7 billion (38.2%). link

Bulgarian National Bank - Information About Lease Activity - Dec 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 15:04 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The total amount of claims under financial and operational lease contracts is BGN 3.662 billion (6.6% of GDP) at the end of December 2007. It increased by BGN 1.662 billion (83.1%) compared to the end of December 2006, when it was BGN 2 billion (4.1% of GDP). link

Bulgarian REIT PRC Seeks 2.7 Mln Euro in Cap Hike Mar 18, 2008, 15:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian real estate investment trust (REIT) PRC is seeking 5.2 million levs ($4.2 million/2.7 million euro) in a capital hike to finance investments, a company official said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Monthly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - Feb 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 15:09 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the balance sheet of its issue department as of February 29, 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Weekly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - Mar 14, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 15:11 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the balance sheet of its issue department as of March 14, 2008. link

Bulgarian Real Estate Fund Sells Office Building for 17.5 Mln Euro Mar 18, 2008, 15:19 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Privately held Bulgarian Real Estate Fund (BREF) on Tuesday said it will sell an office building in Sofia to Bulgarian-registered Bridgecorp for 17.5 million euro ($27.6 million), value added tax excluded. link

U.S.-Based Vista International Plans To Enter SEE Via Stake in Waste-to-Energy Project in Bulgaria Mar 18, 2008, 15:43 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – U.S.-based holding company Vista International plans to enter southeast Europe via an undisclosed stake by its subsidiary Vista International Technologies (VIT) in a waste-to-energy project in Bulgaria costing up to $50 million (31.6 million euro), VIT said on its website. link

INTERVIEW - Bulgarian Pig Farmer Agrocapital Delays IPO due to Market Turbulence Mar 18, 2008, 16:07 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian pig farming company Agrocapital, whose ambitious investment plans included its going public this month, has postponed its initial public offering (IPO) because of market turbulence, a company owner said. link

Melrose Resources Turns to 40.1 Mln Euro Cons Net Loss in 2007 Mostly Due to Operations in Bulgaria Mar 18, 2008, 16:12 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Scottish-based oil and gas company Melrose Resources turned to a consolidated net loss of $63.2 million last year from a consolidated net profit of $41,000 in 2006 mostly due to its operations in Bulgaria, the company said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Investor To Build 15 Mln Euro Shopping Centre in Danube City of Ruse Mar 18, 2008, 16:36 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian privately-held company Marmeg plans to build a 15 million euro ($23.7 million) shopping centre in the city of Ruse on the Danube, the project’s consultant said on Tuesday. link

Bulgaria’s Maritsa East Mines Beats Five-Year Coal Output Record Mar 18, 2008, 16:51 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest mining complex, Maritsa East Mines, said on Tuesday it beat a five-year output record by extracting 5.45 million tonnes of coal between January 1 and March 16. Bulgaria 2007 Tourism Revenue Up 10.8% to 2.285 Bln Euro Mar 18, 2008, 16:56 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's tourism revenue rose 10.8% to 2.285 billion euro ($3.606 billion) last year, the government agency in charge of the sector said on Tuesday. [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bulgariatourismrevenuegrows10_8_in2007to2_285blneuro-152809" class="spip_out">link

Bulgaria Says Four Candidates Place Letters of Intent for Steel Mill Kremikovtzi - Media Mar 18, 2008, 17:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov said on Tuesday that four candidates have sent letters of intent to buy Bulgaria’s debt-ridden steel mill Kremikovtzi, state-run news agency BTA reported. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Direct Investments - Jan 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 11:25 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Bulgarian National Bank has published its report on foreign direct investment for January 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Foreign Direct Investments - Jan 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 11:26 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews According to preliminary data, the Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for January 2008 amounted to EUR 242 million (0.7% of GDP) compared to EUR 122.4 million (0.4% of GDP) attracted in January 2007. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Investment Funds Stats - Dec 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 11:28 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The funds managed by the resident and non-resident investment funds, operating in Bulgaria, amounted to BGN 1,190.6 million as of 31.12.2007, increasing by BGN 602.7 million (102.5%) against BGN 587.9 million (31.03.2007). link

Bulgarian National Bank - Balance of Payments - Jan 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 11:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews BALANCE OF PAYMENTS 1JANUARY 2008 link

Bulgarian National Bank - External Sector Indicators - Feb 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 11:20 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published a statistical report on external sector indicators for February 2008. link

Bulgarian NSI - Labour Force, 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 11:32 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Statistics Institute (NSI) has published its report on labour status of population aged 15 - 64 by place of residence and sex for 2007. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Gross External Debt - Dec 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 13:52 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews As of end-December 2007 gross external debt* was EUR 27,039.7 million (94.6% of GDP) and increased by EUR 6,929 million (34.5%) against the end of 2006 (EUR 20,110.7 million, 80.1% of GDP). The highest contribution to the debt increase was that of Direct Investment liabilities (an increase of EUR 3,194 million, 54.1%). By end-December 2007 long-term liabilities amounted to EUR 17,747.8 million (65.6% of total debt), and short-term liabilities came to EUR 9,291.9 million (34.4% of total debt). link

EU Approves 2.0% Hike in Milk Quotas Mar 18, 2008, 13:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – The European Union has approved a 2.0% increase in milk quotas from April 1 to meet growing demand within the bloc and on global markets, the EU said. link

STS Finance - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:44 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The credit crisis took its first victim. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Mar 17, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 10:47 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET HIGHLIGHTS link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 11:01 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulgarian National Bank - Money Market Review - 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 11:29 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IN BULGARIA IN 2007 link

Bulgarian National Bank - Money Market Review - Jan 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 11:31 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews
 Larger interbank money market volumes in the first month of the year;- Decrease of the BSE indices due to the world markets crisis. link

Bulgarian Stocks Lose Ground on U.S. Bank Woes Mar 18, 2008, 16:08 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian stocks extended losses on Tuesday as U.S. banking system news eroded the confidence of local investors, brokers said. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - March 18 - Nov 25 Mar 18, 2008, 09:13 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bulgaria through November 25. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

STS Finance - Daily FX Analysis - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:40 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Dollar in expectation of FOMC decision link

* CROATIA *

STOCKWATCH - Erste Bank Keeps Croatia’s Telecom T-HT at "Accumulate", Reduces Target Price Mar 18, 2008, 10:04 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Austria’s Erste Bank maintained its "accumulate" recommendation for Croatian top telecom T-HT but reduced its target price for the company’s stock, it said in a report on Tuesday. link

Bulgaria Keeps Top Rank in Global Q4 House Price Growth Research - Knight Frank Mar 18, 2008, 15:41 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - House price growth in Bulgaria more than doubled to 33.7% in the fourth quarter of 2007, making the country again the top performer in the global rankings of UK-based real estate consultancy Knight Frank, the company said. link

Rents of Office Space in CEE To Keep Rising in 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield Mar 18, 2008, 17:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (Bulgaria) – Rents of office space in central and eastern Europe (CEE) are expected to keep rising in 2008, as more countries in the region are emerging as alternative low-cost office locations, U.S.-based global real estate company Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) said in a report. link

ANALYSIS – Political Problems in Neighbour Serbia, Volatility on Global Mkts Hit Zagreb Bourse Mar 18, 2008, 17:30 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Political problems in neighbouring Serbia, combined with high volatility on global markets, are keeping investors away from Croatia’s Zagreb bourse, traders say. They have mixed opinions on the direction of the market until the end of the year. link

Croatia Plans To Sell Two Shipyards in 2008, Set To Seek ’Other Solutions’ for Three Others Mar 17, 2008, 21:42 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 17 (SeeNews) – Croatia said on Monday it plans to sell two of its five big shipyards this year to cut public spending and is ready to seek ’other solutions’ for the remaining three if they fail to show profit after the country joins the European Union. link

Croatian Atlantic Grupa 2007 Cons Net Profit Rises 50% to 54.4 Mln Kuna (7.5 Mln Euro) Mar 18, 2008, 11:26 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s Atlantic Grupa, a fast moving consumer goods distributor and manufacturer of healthcare products, said on Tuesday its 2007 consolidated net profit doubled to 54.5 million kuna ($11.8 million/7.5 million euro). link

CROATIA’S ERICSSON NIKOLA TESLA 2007 NET PROFIT DOWN 14.5% TO 199.8 MLN KUNA (27.5 MLN EURO) Mar 18, 2008, 12:53 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Portuguese PR Agency Young Network Buys 75% of Croatian Peer Meritor Media as First Step in Expansion to Eastern Europe Mar 18, 2008, 13:12 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Portuguese public relations agency Young Network said on Tuesday it has bought 75% of Croatian peer Meritor Mediafor an undisclosed sum, its first acquisition abroad that should become a basis for the company’s expansion to eastern Europe. CROATIAN RETAILER MAGMA 2007 NET PROFIT RISES 28.24% TO 40.14 MLN KUNA (5.5 MLN EURO) Mar 18, 2008, 13:34 CET | Alert | SeeNews [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/croatianretailermagmanetprofitup28_24_to40_14mlnkuna_5_5mlneuro_-133147" class="spip_out">link

CROATIAN RETAILER MAGMA PROPOSES TO PAY 2 KUNA (0.3 EURO) PER SHARE DIVIDEND FOR 2007 Mar 18, 2008, 13:37 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

CROATIAN BLUE CHIP ERICSSON NIKOLA TESLA TO PAY 270 KUNA (37 EURO)/SHARE IN 2007 DIVIDEND VS. 320 KUNA FOR 2006 Mar 18, 2008, 13:38 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Erste Securities - Flash note: Ericsson Nikola Tesla - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 13:46 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Croatian ICT company Ericsson Nikola Tesla announced the financial results FY2007 today. The company recorded 9% y/y growth in sales to HRK 1.78bn, which exceeds our expectations. However, the company recorded 24.6% drop in EBIT to HRK 200.8mn and 14.5% drop in net profit to HRK 199.8mn. This drop in net profit comes from lack of one-offs that were present in 2006 in the form of insurance for inventories damaged in fire. The overall result we find mostly in line with expectations. The company also announced that the company management proposed to pay out a dividend of HRK 270 per share in total (around 10% dividend yield), including HRK 20 per share regular dividend and HRK 250 per share extraordinary dividend. This proposal should be voted by shareholders on the general assembly scheduled for May 27, 2008. link

Croatian Retailer Magma 2007 Net Profit Rises to 40.14 Mln Kuna (5.5 Mln Euro), To Pay 2 Kuna per Share Dividend Mar 18, 2008, 13:48 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip clothing and toys retailer Magma reported on Tuesday a 28.24% rise in its 2007 net profit to 40.14 million kuna ($8.7 million/5.5 million euro) and proposed to pay a dividend of 2 kuna per share. link

Croatia’s Ericsson Nikola Tesla ’07 Net Profit Falls 14.5%, To Pay 270 Kuna (37 Euro)/Share Dividend Mar 18, 2008, 14:56 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue-chip telecoms equipment producer Ericsson Nikola Tesla reported on Tuesday a fall in its 2007 net profit to 199.8 million kuna ($43.4 million/27.5 million euro) from 233.8 million a year earlier, and proposed to pay a dividend of 270 kuna per share. link

Erste Securities - Flash note: Atlantic Group - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 15:22 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Net profit more than doubled y/y to HRK 46.4mn link

UPDATE 1 - Croatia’s Ericsson Nikola Tesla ’07 Net Profit Falls 14.5%, To Pay 270 Kuna (37 Euro)/Share Dividend Mar 18, 2008, 16:48 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Croatian Share Indices Sink on Panic Selling due to Global Losses Mar 17, 2008, 20:43 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 17 (SeeNews) – The Croatian equity market on Monday saw one of the biggest falls in its history, as losses on global markets caused panic selling among local investors and a surge in turnover, brokers said. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:48 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

FIMA - Weekly Report - Mar 10 - 14, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 14:49 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Producer Price Index link

Croatian Drug Maker Pliva Expects To Complete Delisting from London by July 21 Mar 18, 2008, 18:04 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Croatian drug maker Pliva said on Tuesday it expects to complete the process of delisting its shares and global depository receipts from the London stock market by July 21 following its takeover by U.S. pharmaceutical group Barr. link

Croatian Share Indices Rebound Shadowing Global Markets Mar 18, 2008, 18:44 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - The Croatian equity market rose on Tuesday, shadowing a rebound on global markets, brokers said. link

Croatia Schedule of Events – March 18 – May 17 Mar 18, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through May 17. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Croatia Sells T-Bills Below Target, Yields Flat Mar 18, 2008, 15:20 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s Finance Ministry sold 184 million kuna ($40 million/ 25.4 million euro) in two Treasury bill issues on Tuesday, below its target of 450 million kuna, as yields remained unchanged. link

* MOLDOVA *

Turkey’s Efes Moldovan Unit More than Doubles Net Profit in 2007 - Table Mar 18, 2008, 12:17 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 18 (SeeNews) - The net profit of the Moldovan unit of Turkey’s Efes Breweries International (EBI) more than doubled last year, reaching 146.9 million lei ($14.1 million/8.9 million euro), the Moldovan company said on Tuesday. link

Moldova’s Transdniestria Region Monthly Inflation Slows to 3.3% in February Mar 18, 2008, 10:44 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 18 (SeeNews) - Monthly consumer prices inflation in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria slowed to 3.3% in February from 4.28% in January, the region’s economy ministry said on Tuesday. link

Yields Rise on 3-Mo, 12-Mo Moldovan T-bills, Fall on 6-Mo T-bills Mar 18, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 18 (SeeNews) - The Moldovan central bank, BNM, on Tuesday sold 48.1 million lei ($4.6 million/3.0 million euro) in three Treasury bill issues, below its offer target of 53 million lei, as yields rose on the three-month and one-year issues and fell on the six-month paper. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - March 18 - May 25 Mar 18, 2008, 10:16 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 18 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in, or related to Moldova through May 25. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

* ROMANIA *

Rents of Office Space in CEE To Keep Rising in 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield Mar 18, 2008, 17:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (Bulgaria) – Rents of office space in central and eastern Europe (CEE) are expected to keep rising in 2008, as more countries in the region are emerging as alternative low-cost office locations, U.S.-based global real estate company Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) said in a report. link

Lufthansa Sees Double-Digit Growth in 2008 Passenger Numbers in Bulgaria, To Expand Flights in SEE Mar 18, 2008, 13:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - German air carrier Lufthansa expects a double-digit rise in the number of passengers it carries to and from Bulgaria in 2008 thanks to adding new flights, a company official said on Tuesday. link

Romania Jan-Feb New Car Sales Rise 28% Y/Y - Table Mar 18, 2008, 13:46 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Sales of new passenger cars in Romania in the first two months of 2008 rose by 28% on the year to 42,363, the Romanian Car Producers and Importers Association, APIA, said on Tuesday. link

Romania’s Jan-Feb Passenger Car Output Rises 53% Y/Y Mar 18, 2008, 13:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Romania’s automobile industry manufactured 46,227 passenger cars in the first two months of 2008, up 53% on the year, the Romanian Car Producers and Importers Association (APIA) said on Tuesday. link

Germany’s Seasonings Producer Fuchs To Open 10 Mln Euro Plant in Romania in Q1 ‘09 Mar 18, 2008, 15:03 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (SeeNews) – Germany’s seasonings producer Fuchs will invest 10 million euro ($15.8 million) in its first plant in Romania which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2009, Fuchs’ Romanian unit said on Tuesday. link

Romanian INS - Consumer Price Index, Feb 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 13:29 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Consumer Price Index in February 2008 No. 55 of March 11, 2008 link

EU Approves 2.0% Hike in Milk Quotas Mar 18, 2008, 13:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – The European Union has approved a 2.0% increase in milk quotas from April 1 to meet growing demand within the bloc and on global markets, the EU said. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Mar 17, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:30 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BSE negative evolution aligned with most of the European stock markets link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Weekly - Mar 10 - 14, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:33 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1A. Bucharest Stock Exchange Indicators link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:45 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Trader’s Comment link

Blue Chip Gains Boost Romanian Bourse Indices Mar 18, 2008, 16:39 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Romanian bourse indices regained ground on Tuesday, pushed up by hefty gains in some blue-chip stocks, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - March 18 - May 15 Mar 18, 2008, 09:16 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (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

Romanian Leu Regains Some Ground vs Euro Mar 18, 2008, 17:11 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 18 (SeeNews) - Romania’s leu strengthened on Tuesday to end at 3.7250/7300 per euro, compared with a closing level of 3.7400/7450 on Monday, after being affected by the fall in the U.S. dollar on international markets in recent days, dealers said. link

* SERBIA *

Rents of Office Space in CEE To Keep Rising in 2008 – Cushman & Wakefield Mar 18, 2008, 17:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (Bulgaria) – Rents of office space in central and eastern Europe (CEE) are expected to keep rising in 2008, as more countries in the region are emerging as alternative low-cost office locations, U.S.-based global real estate company Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) said in a report. link

Serbian State Invests 3.25 Bln Dinars (39 Mln Euro) as Komercijalna Banka’s Share Issue 48% Subscribed Mar 17, 2008, 19:01 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 17 (SeeNews) – The Serbian government, the biggest shareholder in blue chip Komercijalna Banka, said on Monday it invested 3.25 billion dinars ($61.5million/39million euro) in its full allotment from the bank’s 8.1 billion dinar share issue, which was just over 48% subscribed overall. link

Lufthansa Sees Double-Digit Growth in 2008 Passenger Numbers in Bulgaria, To Expand Flights in SEE Mar 18, 2008, 13:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) - German air carrier Lufthansa expects a double-digit rise in the number of passengers it carries to and from Bulgaria in 2008 thanks to adding new flights, a company official said on Tuesday. link

Belgrade Picks Austria’s Porr To Build Bridge for 119 Mln Euro Mar 18, 2008, 14:46 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s capital Belgrade has picked a consortium led by Austrian construction firm Porr Technobau und Umwelt to build a brigde of some 900 metres over the Sava river for 119 million euro ($188million), a city official said on Tuesday. link

Serbian IT Firm ComTrade Places Binding Bid for Slovenia’s Hermes SoftLab Mar 18, 2008, 17:39 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Serbian information technologies provider ComTrade Group on Tuesday submitted a binding bid to take over Slovenian software maker Hermes SoftLab (HSL), the Slovenian company said. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Mar 18, 2008 Mar 18, 2008, 09:47 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for March 18, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Belgrade Shares Rise for Second Day after Two Weeks of Hefty Losses Mar 18, 2008, 17:56 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices closed higher for a second consecutive session on Tuesday and brokers saw this as a positive signal after two weeks of sharp falls due to the ongoing political crisis in Serbia. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - March 18 - May 11 Mar 18, 2008, 10:15 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through May 11. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* SLOVENIA *

Slovenian Logistics Co Intereuropa Starts Carrying Automobiles to Moscow by Rail Mar 17, 2008, 18:58 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 17 (SeeNews) - Slovenian logistics company Intereuropa said on Monday it has started carrying passenger automobiles from the country’s Adriatic port of Koper to Moscow by rail. link

Four Slovenian Companies Raise Stake in Brewer Pivovarna Lasko by 13.24% Mar 18, 2008, 14:49 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Four Slovenian companies have bought 13.24% of the country’s largest brewer, blue chip Pivovarna Lasko, following a buyout bid which expired on March 11, the brewer said on Tuesday. link

Telekom Slovenije Launches 10 Mln Euro WiMAX Network Mar 18, 2008, 15:17 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Telekom Slovenije said on Tuesday it had launched commercially its WiMAX wireless broadband network, estimated at some 10 million euro ($14.62 million). link

UniCredit Group Slovenian Unit Raises 2007 Net Profit by 39% Mar 18, 2008, 15:46 CET | Story | SeeNews Ljubljana (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) - The Slovenian unit of UniCredit Group said on Tuesday it has raised its 2007 net profit by 39% to 15.18 million euro ($22.19 million). link

Serbian IT Firm ComTrade Places Binding Bid for Slovenia’s Hermes SoftLab Mar 18, 2008, 17:39 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) – Serbian information technologies provider ComTrade Group on Tuesday submitted a binding bid to take over Slovenian software maker Hermes SoftLab (HSL), the Slovenian company said. link

SLOVENIA’S JAN JOBLESS RATE RISES TO 7.4% FROM 7.3% IN DEC- STATS OFFICE Mar 18, 2008, 10:27 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenia’s Jan Jobless Rate Rises to 7.4%- Table Mar 18, 2008, 10:30 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s January jobless rate was 7.4%, up from 7.3% in December, the Slovenian Statistics Office said on Tuesday. link

EU Approves 2.0% Hike in Milk Quotas Mar 18, 2008, 13:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 18 (SeeNews) – The European Union has approved a 2.0% increase in milk quotas from April 1 to meet growing demand within the bloc and on global markets, the EU said. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Extend Losses in Higher Turnover Mar 18, 2008, 17:20 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices fell for a second day running on Tuesday amid higher turnover and brokers said they expect the market to follow events on international markets in the next few days. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - March 18 - May 15 Mar 18, 2008, 09:09 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 18 (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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