Centro Studi Europa dell’Est – news report of 24.03.2008 – powered by www.seenews.com

News report of 24.03.2008

* BOSNIA *

EU To Call Tender for Technical Assistance in Harmonising Bosnia’s Communications Law Mar 24, 2008, 10:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Commission will call in the second quarter of this year a tender for technical assistance in harmonising Bosnia’s communications law with the EU regulatory framework, it said. link

EU To Call Tender for Technical Assistance in Promoting Bosnia’s Exports Mar 24, 2008, 10:31 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Commission will call in the second quarter of this year a tender for technical assistance in building Bosnia’s institutional capacity to promote exports and develop its export base, it said. link

EU To Call Tender for Technical Assistance in Promoting Cross-border Cooperation in Bosnia Mar 24, 2008, 11:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Commission will call in May a tender for technical assistance in promoting cross-border cooperation between Bosnia and its neighbours, it said. link

EU To Call Tender for Technical Assistance in Raising Energy Efficiency Awareness in Bosnia Mar 24, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Commission will call in the second quarter of this year a tender for technical assistance in reforming Bosnia’s energy sector and raising awareness of energy efficiency and sustainability, it said. link

Bosnian Coal Mining and Energy Complex Ugljevik Almost Triples Net Profit in 2007 - Table Mar 24, 2008, 11:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) – The net profit of Bosnian coal mining and energy complex Ugljevik almost tripled last year to some 1.4 million marka ($1.1 million/712,000 euro), as revenue grew faster than costs, figures showed on Monday. link

Bosnian Brown Coal Mine Kakanj Raises 2007 Net Profit Almost 10 Times Mar 24, 2008, 16:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) – Bosnian brown coal mine Kakanj raised its net profit almost 10 times to 4.0 million marka ($3.1 million/2.0 million euro) last year, as output grew 5.4% to 1.175 million tonnes, a mine official said on Monday. link

INTERVIEW – Merging Coal Mines and Power Plants in Bosnia Will Be Healthy for Sector – Mine Official Mar 24, 2008, 16:06 CET | Interview | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) – Merging coal mines and power plants in Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation, as planned by the region’s government, will be extremely healthy for the mining sector because it will bring in fresh investments and improve the production process, an industry official said on Monday. link

Bosnia Serb Republic Feb Industrial Output Rises 6.3% Y/Y, Up 14.9% M/M - Table Mar 24, 2008, 09:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (SeeNews) - The industrial production of Bosnia’s Serb Republic in February rose by 6.3% on the year and was 14.9% higher compared to January, official data showed on Monday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - March 24 – Nov 2 Mar 24, 2008, 09:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 24 (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 *

BSE - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Mar 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 08:40 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews In view of the implementation of the new electronic trading system Xetra, BSE-Sofia has published on its web site the technical requirements for the use of the new electronic trading system by the investment intermediaries.The file is available at: link link

Bulgarian REIT Prime Property To Build 64 Mln Euro Business Park in Plovdiv City Mar 24, 2008, 13:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian real estate investment trust (REIT) Prime Propertiy BG said on Monday it plans to build a 64 million euro ($98.5 million) business park in the city of Plovdiv and put it into operation in 2011. link

Greece’s PPC Interested in Importing up to 1.2 Mln T/Year Coal from Bulgarian Maritsa East Mines Mar 24, 2008, 14:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Greece’s Public Power Corporation (PPC) is interested in importing up to 1.2 million tonnes of coal per year from Bulgarian lignite mines Maritsa East, the Bulgarian company said on Monday. link

U.S.-based Sutherland Global Services Plans $19 Mln Investments in Bulgaria - Municipal Official Mar 24, 2008, 14:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) – U.S.-based business process outsourcing (BPO) company Sutherland Global Services plans to invest $4.0 million (2.6 million euro) in opening an office in the Bulgarian town of Ruse as part of a $19 million plan to enter the country, a Ruse municipal official said on Monday. link

Philip Morris Says Raises Market Share in Bulgaria to 9.5% Mar 24, 2008, 15:13 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Tobacco giant Philip Morris on Monday said it expanded its market share in EU newcomer Bulgaria to 9.5% from 9.0% in December. link

Bulgaria’s Doverie Holding Buys 90% of Local Health Insurance Fund, Mulls Listing of OZOF Doverie Mar 24, 2008, 18:13 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian industrial group Doverie Obedinen Holding has bought a 90% stake in local voluntary health insurance fund Medico 21 for an undisclosed sum and is considering listing its other voluntary health insurer, OZOF Doverie, executive director Boris Borisov said on Monday. link

Bulgaria’s End-Feb Public Debt Falls 13% Y/Y Mar 24, 2008, 09:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s public debt totalled 5.1 billion euro ($7.8 billion) at the end of February, down 13% on the year, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. link

Bulgaria C-bank FX Reserves Almost Flat in Week Ending March 21 - Table Mar 24, 2008, 16:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - The foreign exchange assets of the Bulgarian central bank’s (BNB) issue department totalled 23.769 billion levs ($18.782 billion/12.197 billion euro) on Friday, almost unchanged from a week earlier, BNB data showed on Monday. link

Karoll - Bulgarian Stock Market Overview - Mar 17 - 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:06 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Commentary link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Mar 24, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 10:03 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Elana - BSE-Sofia Weekly Overview - Mar 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 11:15 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Trend link

FFBH - Bulgaria Weekly Update - Mar 17 - 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 13:39 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

KD Securities - Sofia Stock Exchange Weekly Report - Mar 17 - 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 13:43 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1. SOFIA STOCK EXCHANGE EVOLUTION link

Bulgarian Stock Indices End Higher but Investors Still Uncertain Mar 24, 2008, 15:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian share indices ended higher on Monday in lower turnover but investors are still uncertain of the market’s direction, brokers said. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - March 24- Nov 25 Mar 24, 2008, 08:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (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

Bulgaria’s Major Airports 2007 Passenger Numbers Rise 11% Mar 24, 2008, 11:24 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 24 (SeeNews) – Passengers on charter and scheduled international flights through Bulgaria’s three main airports rose 11% to 5.985 million in 2007, the Bulgarian Airlines Association (BAA) said on Monday. link

* CROATIA *

Crostat - Monthly Statistical Report - Jan 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 10:57 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Croatian Central Bureau of Statistcs has published its monthly statisitical report for January 2008. link

* MACEDONIA * Macedonian Statistics Office - Labour Costs for 2006 - Mar 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 14:40 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Statiscis Office has published its report on labour costs for 2006. link

Macedonian Drug Maker Alkaloid Proposes To Pay Higher 2007 Dividend Mar 24, 2008, 17:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), March 24 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s leading drug maker Alkaloid said on Monday it will propose to pay a gross dividend of 111.11 denars ($2.85/1.85 euro) per share for 2007, up 24.22% from what it paid a year earlier. link

Macedonian Central Bank - Monthly Report 11, 2007 - Jan 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 10:58 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia has published its monthly report for November 2007. Macedonian Statistics Office - Short-Term Macroeconomic Indicators - Q4 2007 Mar 24, 2008, 14:47 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Gross Domestic Product in fourth quarter of 2007 increased for 5.2% compared with the some period of the previous year [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/macedonianstatisticsoffice-short-termmacroeconomicindicators-q4_2007-132111" class="spip_out">link

Macedonian Statistical Office - Foreign Direct Investment, 2006 Mar 24, 2008, 15:27 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The value of foreign direct investments in 2006 is 350.7 million US$ and compared to the previous year is increased for 234.5 million US$. The biggest foreign direct investments in amount of 315.2 million US$ are from the Developed countries, of which, 295.8 million US$ are from the European Union countries and 1.2 million US$ are from the EFTA countries. In 2006 the Developing countries participated with 35.5 million US$. link

Macedonian Statistical Office - Tourism, Jan 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 15:36 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The number of tourists in January 2008 compared to January 2008 has increased for 41.4%, and the number of nights spent has increased for 39.1% link

Macedonian Statistical Office - Consumer Price Index, Feb 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 15:37 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Consumer Price Index, by COICOP classification, in February 2008 in comparison with January 2008, increased by 0.8% link

* MOLDOVA *

Austria’s Grawe Moldovan Unit Raises Capital to 22.5 Mln Lei (1.4 Mln Euro) Mar 24, 2008, 11:21 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 24 (SeeNews) - Grawe Asigurare de Viata, the Moldovan arm of Austrian insurance group Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung (Grawe), raised its share capital to 22.5 million lei ($2.2 million/1.4 million euro) through a 19.3 million lei share issue, the Moldovan Securities Commission CNPF said on Monday. link

Moldova’s Broadcasting Services Market Revenue Up 66.8% in 2007 Mar 24, 2008, 11:30 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 24 (SeeNews) – The revenue of the Moldovan TV and radio broadcasters rose by 66.8% to 147.9 million lei ($14.2 million/9.2 million euro) last year, the country’s telecoms regulator, ANRTI, said on Monday. link

Moldovan Metal Structures Maker Agat Swings to Net Profit in 2007 - Table Mar 24, 2008, 13:51 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 24 (SeeNews) - Moldovan metal structures maker Agat swung to a 367,800 lei ($35,400/23,000 euro) net profit last year from a 89,800 lei loss in 2006, the company said on Monday. link

MOLDOVA’S JAN-FEB INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT RISES REAL 9.6% Y/Y - STATS OFFICE Mar 24, 2008, 10:09 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Moldova’s Jan-Feb Industrial Output Rises Real 9.6% Y/Y - Table Mar 24, 2008, 10:25 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 24 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s industrial output rose by a real 9.6% year-on-year through February, official figures showed on Monday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - March 24 - May 25 Mar 24, 2008, 10:14 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 24 (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

* MONTENEGRO *

Austrian Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank’s Montenegrin Unit Extends 2007 Loss to 10.6 Mln Euro - Table Mar 24, 2008, 11:17 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 24 (SeeNews) - The Montenegrin unit of Austria’s Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG extended its 2007 net loss to 10.6 million euro ($16.3million) from a net loss of 2.7 millon euro a year earlier, data from Montenegro’s central bank showed on Monday. link

Central Bank of Montenegro - Monthly Bulletin - Jan 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 10:55 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Central Bank of Montenegro has published its monthly bulletin for January 2008. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events - March 24 - May 15 Mar 24, 2008, 11:02 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 24 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in, or related to, Montenegro through May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* ROMANIA *

Romanian Car Manufacturer Dacia Workers Go on Strike for Higher Pay - TV Mar 24, 2008, 10:13 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) – Workers of Romanian car manufacturer Dacia, owned by French group Renault, went on strike on Monday, seeking a higher pay rise than the one proposed by the owner, privately-owned TV station Antena 3 reported. link

Five Foreign Bidders Vie for Romanian Insurer Asiban – Media Mar 24, 2008, 11:34 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Two French, two Dutch and one Italian company have placed binding bids to take over Romanian third-largest insurer Asiban, Bucharest-based daily Ziarul Financiar reported on Monday. link

Romanian Book and Music Retailer Diverta Sees 2008 Turnover Up 20% to Over 56 Mln Euro Mar 24, 2008, 13:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Romanian book and music retailer Diverta on Monday said it expects its turnover to grow by 20% to over 56 million euro ($86.5 million) this year. link

Romanian Banks’ End-Jan Loan Portfolio Rises 67% Y/Y - Table Mar 24, 2008, 15:00 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - The loan portfolio of Romania’s commercial banks rose by 67% on the year to 154.25 billion lei ($64 billion/41 billion euro) at the end of January, central bank (BNR) data showed on Monday. link

Romanian Property Firm Impact Developer & Contractor To Seek Shareholder Approval for 4.5% Buyback Mar 24, 2008, 16:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Romanian real estate company Impact Developer & Contractor on Monday said it will seek shareholder approval for a 4.5% buyback of its shares. link

Romanian IT&C Distributor Combox Delivery Targets Doubled ’08 Turnover to $9.0 Mln Mar 24, 2008, 16:53 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Combox Delivery, a Romanian importer and distributor for information technology and communications, said on Monday it aims to double its turnover this year to $9.0 million (5.8 million euro) due to new products and higher demand. link

Romanian Plastic Maker Prodplast Plans No Dividend for 2007 Mar 24, 2008, 17:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Romanian plastic maker Prodplast said on Monday it plans to pay no dividend for 2007, compared to a 0.0120 lei ($0.005/ 0.0032 euro) gross dividend the previous year. link

Romanian National Bank - Financial Behaviour of Households and Companies by County, Jan 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 12:08 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has released its monthly report on the financial behaviour of households and companies by county. link

Confident Invest - Weekly Update - Mar 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:00 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews SummaryAlthough the Romanian capital market had a short breathing moment a week ago with 2% growth for the main BSE index, in the last 5 trading sessions the losses deepened as the most liquid companies dropped more than 30% since the beginning of the year. The beginning of the week was very volatile for most of the international capital markets, as the 5th US brokerage firm, Bear Stearns, capitulated against the financial crisis. In order to avoid the bankruptcy the company`s board approved the buyout by JP Morgan, an offer financed in part by the Federal Reserve. The difference between the offer price (2$/share) and the market price of the Bear shares was pretty high, more specific almost 94%.Last week FED took several important measures in order to revive the American economy and it cut the discount and the benchmark rate with 0.25 and 0.75 point respectively, it injected more liquidity to support the financial markets and even extended the lending facility to non-banks; t he benchmark rate rebate was under most of the analysts`s estimations who expected a 1 point cut. After Federal Reserve financial measures, we witnessed a significant decline of the commodities prices. Since the beginning of the subprime crises, the commodities index, Reuters Jefferies CRB had gained 30% as many investors saw a hedging possibility in gold, oil and other commodities. It remains to be seen if these short comeback period of the commodities prices is due to the optimistic investors` expectations regarding the possible favorable results of the FED` s plan to rescue the American economy and if the investors` strategies will favor the stock exchanges. For the moment, the 0.75 point cut of the benchmark rate lead a lot of discussions about the reasons behind this particular percentage. Is the financial crisis coming to an end and the 0.75 point cut is enough, or the Federal Reserve kept a `reserve` in order to intervene later.Even if many international financial com panies mobilized their efforts for reorganizations, acquisitions o ergers with a view to resist during the financial markets turmoil, on the Romanian capital market it looks like only the negative news are the most influent. Despite the usual high volatility of the Bucharest Stock Exchange, the Romanian indices followed closely the international markets. However, on Thursday the main BSE index had one of the deepest corrections, not very correlated with the external trends, as the market reacted to the affirmations of some influent businessmens regarding the futures of the stock exchange. As for the next period we expect the current trend to continue, as without any positive news regarding the national and especially the international economy it is quite hard to see a soon upsurge. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Mar 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:04 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BSE indices recovered on a low turnover link

KD Capital Management - Bucharest Stock Exchange - Weekly Report - Mar 17 - 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:11 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1. STOCK EXCHANGE OVERVIEW link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Mar 24, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:13 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Trader’s Comment link

Romanian Bourse Extends Gains in Low Liquidity as Foreign Investors Celebrate Easter Mar 24, 2008, 16:02 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Romanian bourse indices gained further ground on Monday after advancing slightly on Friday, amid low liquidity due to the absence of foreign investors celebrating the Catholic Easter, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - March 24 - May 15 Mar 24, 2008, 08:53 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (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 (*). Romanian Leu Ends Firmer vs Euro, Market Expects C-Bank To Raise Rates Wednesday Mar 24, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 24 (SeeNews) - Romania's leu ended firmer at 3.7130/7170 per euro on Monday in calm trading, amid expectations of a rate hike by the country's central bank in the middle of the week, dealers said. [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/romanianleuendslittlestrongervseuro_marketawaitsc-bankmeetingwednesday-161251" class="spip_out">link

* SERBIA *

Serbia Extends Bidding Deadline for Sale of Cable Maker Industrija Kablova to June 13 Mar 24, 2008, 11:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - The Serbian Privatisation Agency said it has extended the tender deadline for the sale of 99.36% of cable manufacturer Industrija Kablova from April 25 to June 13. link

Serbian Railways, Energoprojekt Group Sign 230 Mln Euro Deal for Construction of Belgrade Station Mar 24, 2008, 17:13 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - Serbian engineering group Energoprojekt and state railways operator Zeleznica Srbije on Monday signed a 230 million euro ($354million) deal for the construction of a railway station in the capital Belgrade, Energoprojekt’s Director General Vladan Pirivatric said. link

Serbian Roaster Doncafe Plans to Increase Market Share in Serbia to 40% in 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 17:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - Serbian coffee roaster Doncafe Group, which has now changed its name to Strauss Adriatic, plans to increase its market share in the country to 40% from 35% this year, Director General Milan Petrovic said on Monday. link

Kosovo’s Feb CPI Rises 0.4% M/M, Up 11.3% Y/Y - Table Mar 24, 2008, 10:29 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - The consumer price index (CPI) of Kosovo rose by 0.4% month-on-month in February and was 11.3% higher on the year, Kosovo’s statistics office said on Monday. link

UPDATE 1 - Kosovo’s Feb CPI Rises 0.4% M/M, Up 11.3% Y/Y Mar 24, 2008, 12:28 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market WrapUp - Mar 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:34 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its Daily Market WrapUp for March 21, 2008, containg an overview of the Serbian Financial Market. link

Sinteza Investment Group - Weekly Market WrapUp, Mar 17 - 21, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 09:50 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Index on the RiseGas Prices Will Not be Raised in Coming MonthsThe two indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange both climbed substantially this week after being in the red for the better part of the year. The BELEX15 index rose by 8,89% while the BELEXline index increased by 3,69% on last week’s performance. The publication of financial performance for some of the most liquid stocks caused investors to start buying into these companies. The fact that the prices of stock are currently very low is certainly a catalyst for investors to begin buying in.The three stocks which enjoyed the greatest price increases this week were from the food industry, and they were: Kikindski Mlin (BSE: KIML) with 66,67%, Beogradska Industrija Piva (BSE: BIPB) with 53,85% and Šajkaška Fabrika Šećera (BSE: SJKS) with 44%.Due to the disbanding of Parliament delays in important infrastructure works have been announced, including the patching up of the Gazela highway bridge. Also the signing of the P rokop railway station deal has been delayed until next week without any clear explanations as to why. While the Austrian construction firm Porr won over the construction of the much anticipated Ada Ciganlija bridge which will be over 30% more expensive than planned due to material prices increase. According to sources the initial construction of the highway Horgoš - Požega shall commence beginning of April. The most recent research finds Serbia to have increased its public debt to EUR 8,8 billion. During the week the sale of Jugoslovensko Rečno Brodarstvo was annulled after Malta’s PallMalli Shipping defaulted on the purchase. However East Point Holdings, the second ranked bidder was not allowed to purchase the river freight company. Banks announced that debt swelled to RSD 919 billion and as a result credit refinancing is becoming increasingly popular. The Ministry of Energy assured consumers that the price of gas will not increase fearing that this would put additional inflation pressure on the economy. However the industrial fertiliz prices are sure to increase as a result of the gas price swelling as was announced by several largescale producers.The bonds market was witness to a decrease in turnover this week as trade dropped by 61,42% over the previous week. The bond A2012 was the most traded, amassing EUR 297,773 of trade while the largest price increase was noted by A2008, which increased in price by 0,18%. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Mar 24, 2008 Mar 24, 2008, 10:05 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for March 24, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Belgrade Bourse Halts Trading in A Banka Mar 24, 2008, 11:27 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - The Belgrade bourse said it has halted trading in the shares of A Banka after the bank’s owner, Belgian banking and insurance group KBC, turned it into a closed joint stock company. link

BELEX Shares Rise amid Positive Mood Mar 24, 2008, 15:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices started the week higher amid a positive mood following last week’s rise after the market had touched bottom, brokers said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - March 24 - May 11 Mar 24, 2008, 09:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 24 (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

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