Centro Studi Europa dell’Est – news report of 01.04.2008 – powered by www.seenews.com

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News report of 01.04.2008

* Albania *

EBRD Mulls Lending 29.4 Mln Euro Loan to Albania’s Antea for Cement Plant Construction Apr 01, 2008, 10:27 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering lending 29.4 million euro ($46 million) to Albania’s Antea for the construction of a cement plant, the bank said. link

IMF Releases $3.9 Mln Loan Tranche for Albania Apr 01, 2008, 13:17 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a 2.4 million Special Drawing Rights ($3.94 million/2.52 million euro) loan tranche to Albania under its three-year lending programme with the southeast European country, the IMF said. link

Albania In Negotiations for Over $100 Mln Japanese Loan for Tirana Sewerage System Upgrade Apr 01, 2008, 15:32 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Albania is negotiating a loan deal of over $100 million (63.94 million euro) with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for the upgrade of the sewerage system in the capital Tirana, Albanian deputy finance minister Sherefedin Shehu said on Tuesday. link

EBRD Lends Albania’s Sole Intl Airport TIA 22.6 Mln Euro to Extend Terminal Apr 01, 2008, 17:23 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has lent 22.6 million euro ($35.4 million) to the concessionaire of Albania’s Tirana International Airport (TIA) for the extension of the airport’s passenger terminal, EBRD said. link

Kuwait Lends Albania 14.3 Mln Euro for Road Project Apr 01, 2008, 12:59 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Kuwait has lent 14.3 million euro ($22.4 million) to help Albania build two bypass roads that would ease traffic on the road linking Albania’s Adriatic port of Durres with Kosovo’s capital Pristina, Albania’s finance ministry said. link

ALBANIA’S JAN-FEB TRADE GAP WIDENS BY 25% Y/Y TO 46 BLN LEKS (373 MLN EURO) – STATS OFFICE Apr 01, 2008, 14:22 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Albania’s Jan-Feb Trade Gap Widens by 25% to 46.07 Bln Leks (373 Mln Euro) - Table Apr 01, 2008, 14:43 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Albania’s trade balance for the first two months of the year showed a deficit of 46.07 billion leks ($584 million/373 million euro), up 25% from a year earlier, the National Statistics Institute (INSTAT) said on Tuesday. link

UPDATE 1 - Albania’s Jan-Feb Trade Gap Widens by 25% to 46.07 Bln Leks (373 Mln Euro) Apr 01, 2008, 15:43 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Albania Sells 3.19 Bln Leks (25.9 Mln Euro) in 3-mo T-Bills, Yields Steady Apr 01, 2008, 16:30 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank sold 3.19 billion leks ($40.5 million/25.89 million euro) in three-month Treasury bills at an auction held on Tuesday with yields remaining unchanged for a third auction in a row, the bank said. link

Albania Schedule of Events – April 1- June 4 Apr 01, 2008, 09:23 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Albania through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Bosnia *

Bosnia Federation Gives Investors Another Month To Bid for Tobacco Factory Mostar Apr 01, 2008, 09:27 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation said it has given potential investors one more month to place bids for its 67%-stake in troubled tobacco factory Fabrika Duhana Mostar (FDM). link

Bosnia Commercial Banks’ Feb Total Assets Down 0.3% M/M - Table Apr 01, 2008, 10:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The consolidated assets of Bosnia’s commercial banks fell to 19.557 billion marka ($15.732 billion/10.037 billion euro) at the end of February from 19.623 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Commercial Banks Feb Loan Portfolio Up 2.8% M/M to 6.372 Bln Euro Apr 01, 2008, 10:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The loan portfolio of commercial banks operating in Bosnia rose to 12.416 billion marka ($9.988 billion/6.372 billion euro) at the end of February from 12.083 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Commercial Banks Feb Deposit Portfolio Down 0.5% M/M to 6.202 Bln Euro Apr 01, 2008, 10:29 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The deposit portfolio of commercial banks operating in Bosnia fell to 12.085 billion marka ($9.721 billion/6.202 billion euro) at the end of February from 12.143 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Serb Republic Jan Construction Output Up 56% Y/Y - Table Apr 01, 2008, 11:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The construction output in Bosnia’s Serb Republic, measured by value, rose in January by 56% year-on-year but was 74% lower than in December, official data showed on Tuesday. link

INTERVIEW – Bosnia’s Leasing Market Seen Lacking Regulation But Still Growing This Year Apr 01, 2008, 17:29 CET | Interview | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s leasing market suffers from a lack of adequate legal regulation but growth is still expected this year, especially in the real estate segment, an industry official said. link

BOSNIA 2007 REAL GDP GROWTH SLOWS DOWN TO 6.0% FROM 6.7% IN 2006 - C-BANK Apr 01, 2008, 13:55 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bosnia 2007 Real GDP Growth Slows Down to 6.0% from 6.7% in 2006 – Table Apr 01, 2008, 14:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) – Bosnia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a real 6.0% last year to a nominal 20.950 billion marka ($16.852 billion/10.752 billion euro), slowing down from a real 6.7% growth rate in 2006, figures from Bosnia’s central bank (CBBH) showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia C-bank Feb Foreign Reserves Fall 1.0% M/M to 3.373 Bln Euro - Table Apr 01, 2008, 09:43 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The gross foreign reserves of Bosnia’s central bank (CBBH) fell in February by 1.0% month-on-month to 6.573 billion marka ($5.287 billion/3.373 billion euro), central bank data showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia’s Feb M1 Money Supply Up 0.6% M/M to 3.048 Bln Euro - Table Apr 01, 2008, 09:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s narrow money, M1, which includes cash in circulation and demand deposits, rose to 5.940 billion marka ($4.778 billion/3.048 billion euro) at the end of February from 5.904 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Serb Republic Feb Net Salary Up Real 23.7% M/M - Table Apr 01, 2008, 11:36 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (SeeNews) - The average net monthly salary in Bosnia’s Serb Republic rose in February by a real 23.7% month-on-month to 724 marka ($582/372 euro), official statistics showed on Tuesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – April 1 - May 9 Apr 01, 2008, 09:22 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 1 (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 *

Austria’s Raiffeisen Investment Sees Value of M&A Deals in SEE Rising, To Set Up Unit in Macedonia Apr 01, 2008, 14:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Corporate finance advisory Raiffeisen Investment, part of Austria’s Raiffeisen Banking Group, sees the value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in southeast Europe rising this year in line with the region’s rapid economic growth and a shift in investor interest resulting from the global liquidity crisis, a senior company official said on Tuesday. link

Bulgaria’s Insurer Euroins Sees 2008 Net Profit Up 7.4% to 3.0 Mln Euro Mar 31, 2008, 19:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 31 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian insurer Euroins on Monday said it expects 2008 net profit to rise by 7.4% to 5.8 million levs ($4.7 million/3.0 million euro) in line with a projected double-digit growth of the insurance market in the EU newcomer. link

Bulgaria’s Chimimport Agrees To Set up JV To Run Russia’s Tatarstan Airlines Mar 31, 2008, 19:33 CET | Story | SeeNews Bulgaria (SOFIA), March 31 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian industrial conglomerate Chimimport has agreed to set up a joint venture with the Russian republic of Tatarstan to run the republic’s flag carrier Tatarstan Airlines, Chimimport said on Monday. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 08:57 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Balkancar-Zarya PLC-Pavlikeni /ZARYA/ submitted to X3 News information about a decision dated 20.03.2008 adjudicated by Veliko Tarnovo District Court on the administrative proceedings No 608/2005 for a partial repeal of tax audit certificate No 405/24.06.2005 imposing on the company additional taxes of approx. BGN 500,000.According to this decision, the tax audit certificate has unlawfully levied additional taxes on amount of approx. BGN 380,000.The entire notification is available on link

link

Bulgarian Edible Oil Producer Papas Olio Plans To Go Public in 2009 – Media Apr 01, 2008, 09:49 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian edible oil producer Papas Olio plans to go public in 2009 to finance an expansion of its production capacity, local business daily Dnevnik reported on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Fuel Retailer Petrol Sees 2008 Volume of Sales Up 10% Apr 01, 2008, 11:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (Bulgaria) – Bulgarian fuel retailer Petrol said on Tuesday it expects its sales volume to rise by 10% this year from 467 million litres of fuels it sold last year. link

Tobacco Group Bulgartabac Plans To Sell All Four Cigarette Factories by End-2008 Apr 01, 2008, 11:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Majority state-owned Bulgarian tobacco holding group Bulgartabac plans to sell its four cigarette factories by the end of 2008, the company said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian MKB Unionbank To Hike Share Capital by 10.2 Mln Euro to 30.9 Mln Euro Apr 01, 2008, 12:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s MKB Unionbank, majority owned by Hungary’s MKB Bank, said on Tuesday it will raise its share capital by 20 million levs ($16 million/10.2 million euro) to 60.4 million levs through a new share issue. link

Bulgaria’s Forucom Fund Estates REIT Seeks 804,200 Euro in a Cap Hike to Fund Project Apr 01, 2008, 13:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian real estate investment trust (REIT) Forucom Fund Estates is seeking 1.573 million levs ($1.3 million/804,200 euro) in a capital hike to fund investments, a senior company official said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Businessman Hristo Kovachki Plans To Build 1.0 Bln Euro Power Plant in Serbia Apr 01, 2008, 14:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian businessman Hristo Kovachki plans to build a 600-megawatt (MW) power plant worth an estimated 1.0 billion euro ($1.56 billion) in neighbouring Serbia, a press officer for Kovachki said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Banks’ End-Feb Total Assets Rise 34.8% Y/Y - Table Apr 01, 2008, 14:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - The assets of Bulgarian commercial banks totalled 58 billion levs ($46.4 billion/29.7 billion euro) at the end of February, up 34.8% from a year earlier, central bank data showed. link

Bulgarian Electromotor Manufacturer Elma To Invest 3.9 Mln Euro by 2013 Apr 01, 2008, 15:08 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian electromotor manufacturer Elma plans to invest 7.7 million levs ($6.2 million/3.9 million euro) by 2013 to raise its output and turn to profit, the company said on Tuesday. link

CORRECTED - Bulgarian Fuel Retailer Petrol Sees 2008 Volume of Sales Up 10% Apr 01, 2008, 16:09 CET | Story | SeeNews In SOFIA story "Bulgarian Fuel Retailer Petrol Sees 2008 Volume of Sales Up 10%” please read in the third paragraph “It turned to a net loss of 23 million levs in 2007 from a net profit of 14 million levs a year earlier.” instead of "It posted a net profit of 23 million levs in 2007, up 64.3%.” (corrects financial results). link

Bulgarian Grain/Oilseed Trader Zarneni Hrani To Treble Net Profit to 35.7 Mln Euro in 2012 Apr 01, 2008, 16:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian grain and oilseed trader Zarneni Hrani plans to raise net profit to 69.9 million levs ($56 million/35.7 million euro) in 2012 from 21.7 million levs projected for 2008, it said on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Aluminium Producer Alcomet Sees 2008 Sales Rising at Least 20% Apr 01, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian aluminium producer Alcomet expects its 2008 sales to rise by at least 20% from 245.5 million levs ($196.1 million/125.5 million euro) last year thanks to the launch of new products and expansion abroad, the company said. link

Property Firm Euroterra Bulgaria Plans to Hike Capital 13 Times via Bonus Issue Apr 01, 2008, 16:34 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) – Sofia-based property firm Euroterra Bulgaria plans to raise its share capital 13 times to 91 million levs ($73 million/ 47 million euro) through a bonus issue, it said on Tuesday. link

ANALYSIS - Dual EU Listings on Sofia Stock Exchange Seen Doubtful in Near Future Apr 01, 2008, 16:52 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian stock exchange is unlikely to lure a company from another European Union country for dual listing in the near future due to the small size of the local market and a lack of the necessary infrastructure, analysts say. link

Sofia Repeats 145 Mln Euro Underground Railway Extension Tender Apr 01, 2008, 17:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria on Tuesday called a new tender for the construction of two sections of the underground railway system in the capital Sofia worth a combined 145 million euro ($226 million) after cancelling the first tender earlier this month. link

Bulgarian Fuel Retailer Petrol Says To Sell Some Petrol Stations To Lukoil’s Local Arm Apr 01, 2008, 18:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest fuel retailer, Petrol, said on Tuesday it would sell part of its petrol station network to Lukoil Bulgaria, the local arm of Russian oil major Lukoil. link

German Douglas Group Enters Bulgaria via 51% Stake in JV with Local Firm Apr 01, 2008, 18:33 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) – The perfumery division of Germany’s Douglas Group on Tuesday entered the Bulgarian market by acquiring a stake of 51% in Cosmetic Plus Retail (CPR) for an undisclosed sum, Douglas-Perfumeries said. link

INTERVIEW - Bulgaria’s Fin Min Sees 2008 End-Year Inflation Slowing to 6.9% Apr 01, 2008, 09:36 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s end-year inflation is expected to slow to about 6.9% in 2008 from 12.5% at the end of last year as one-off effects are seen wearing off, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski said. link

Bulgarian C-Bank Lowers 2007 C/A Gap Estimate to 21.5% of GDP from 21.8% Apr 01, 2008, 11:18 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s current account deficit rose last year to 21.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP), the country’s central bank said, lowering its previous estimate of a 21.8% gap. link

Bulgaria C-bank FX Reserves Down 2.35% in Week Ending March 28 - Table Apr 01, 2008, 12:58 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - The foreign exchange assets of the Bulgarian central bank’s (BNB) issue department totalled 23.211 billion levs ($18.553 billion/11.867 billion euro) on Friday, down 2.35% from a week earlier, BNB data showed late on Monday. link

Bulgaria Turns to 2-Mo Budget Surplus of 293.8 Mln Euro from 10.2 Mln Euro Deficit Yr-Ago - Table Apr 01, 2008, 14:27 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria had a consolidated budget surplus of 574.7 million levs ($460.7 million/293.8 million euro) for the first two months of 2008, compared to a deficit of 19.9 million levs a year earlier, Finance Ministry data showed on Tuesday. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:00 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bulgarian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for March 31, 2008. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 10:06 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 12:10 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulgarian National Bank - Weekly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - Mar 28, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 12:50 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the balance sheet of its issue department as of March 28, 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Interest Rate Statistics - Feb, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 12:59 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The BNB starts publishing the annual percentage rate of charge on consumer loans and loans for house purchases. link

Karoll - SOFIX Short Term Outlook - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 14:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 04/01/2008...1216.31...In our analysis from 03/05/2008 when the Sofix index was a bit over 1380, I forecasted that the decline drom the October 2007 top had already resumed with a downside target of 1194 and possibly 1090. The month of March was indeed weak for the Bulgarian Stock Market and the SOFIX index plunged to 1140 on 03/24/2008 before recovering slightly from there. Thus, our previous bearish view from a month ago was completely justified. To assess the current state of the market we will once again rely on our technical indicators.First, the chart of the SOFIX index is apparantly bearish. The downtrend from the October 2007 top remains intact (at least for now). Even, the very short term rally in late March couldn’t get close to the 21-day exp. moving average. We can count a potential 5-wave decline from the October 2007 top however as long as the prices are below 1259 we have no confirmation for that view.The MACD indicator is still negative but it displays diverge nce which is a prerequisite for a short-term recovery. The other presented indicator, RSI remains negative for now.And the most important of all indicators are the key price levels. This key levels are drawn with horizontal blue lines on the chart - these levels are calculated using a proprietary technique and for now they serve us well in recognising the market trend. The closest key level is 1259 and as long as the prices aer below there, the ST trend remains down and the pressure is for lower prices twd 1096/90 (the next key level). Longer-term, a decline twd 876 seems inevitable but before that level is reached we will likely see one or two sharp recoveries.On the upside, a move abv 1259 is needed to confirm that a ST low has already been found (which at the moment is an idea suggested by the MACD indicator as well as by the wave interpretation of the decline from 1982). In this case we can expect a prolonged recovery twd 1440/50 and possibly twd 1575 before the Medium-T erm downtrend resumes, most likely in the fall of 2008.... link

Bulgarian Stocks Lose Ground in Low Liquidity Apr 01, 2008, 18:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian share indices mostly lost ground on Tuesday in dull trading as bearish moods prevailed on the market, brokers said. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events – April 1 - Nov 25 Apr 01, 2008, 09:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (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

* Croatia *

ANALYSIS – Croatian Companies Believe Zagreb’s Recognition of Kosovo Unlikely To Obstruct Business in Serbia Mar 31, 2008, 18:53 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 31 (SeeNews) – Most Croatian companies believe Zagreb’s recent recognition of the independence of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo will not obstruct their business in neighbouring Serbia and even expect a further boost there in the longer run. link

CROATIAN HOTEL OWNER HUP ZAGREB 2007 CONS NET PROFIT RISES 40.2% TO 46.7 MLN KUNA (6.4 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 10:02 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Pliva Swings to Net Profit in 2007 Apr 01, 2008, 10:08 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) – Croatian drug maker Pliva, a subsidiary of U.S. pharmaceuticals producer Barr, reported a net profit of 706.8 million kuna ($152 million/97 million euro) for 2007 after a net loss of 193.6 million kuna a year earlier. link

Croatian Hotel Owner HUP Zagreb 2007 Unaudited Cons Net Profit Rises 40.2% Apr 01, 2008, 10:20 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) – Croatian hotel owner HUP Zagreb reported on Tuesday a rise in its unaudited consolidated 2007 net profit to 46.7 million kuna ($10.1 million/6.4 million euro) from 33.3 million a year earlier. link

CROATIA’S PETROKEMIJA TURNS TO 77.8 MLN KUNA ( MLN 10.7 EURO) IN ’07 CONS NET PROFIT FROM 84.4 MLN KUNA ’06 LOSS Apr 01, 2008, 10:44 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Mineral Fertiliser Maker Petrokemija Swings to 2007 Unaudited Cons Net Profit Apr 01, 2008, 11:00 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) – Croatian mineral fertilisers producer Petrokemija reported on Tuesday that it swung to an unaudited consolidated net profit of 77.7 million kuna ($16.8 million/10.7million euro) in 2007 from a net loss of 84.4 million kuna a year earlier thanks to increased sales. link

CROATIAN CARDBOARD MAKER BELISCE’S 2007 CONS NET PROFIT MORE THAN DOUBLES TO 33.7 MLN KUNA (4.6 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 11:34 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Cardboard Maker Belisce’s 2007 Cons Net Profit More than Doubles – Table Apr 01, 2008, 11:56 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian cardboard maker Belisce reported a 120% rise in its 2007 unaudited consolidated net profit to 33.7 million kuna ($7.3million/ 4.6 million euro). link

CROATIA’S JADROPLOV SAYS CONS NET PROFIT RISES NEARLY SIX TIMES TO 86.9 MLN KUNA (11.95 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 13:04 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Shipping Firm Jadroplov 2007 Cons Net Profit Rises Nearly Six Times to 86.9 Mln Kuna(11.95 Mln Euro) Apr 01, 2008, 13:21 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip shipping company Jadroplov said on Tuesday its 2007 unaudited consolidated net profit rose to 86.9 million kuna ($18.74million/11.95million euro) from 14.9 million kuna a year earlier. link

UPDATE 1 - Croatian Shipping Firm Jadroplov 2007 Cons Net Profit Rises Nearly Six Times to 86.9 Mln Kuna (11.95 Mln Euro) Apr 01, 2008, 13:47 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds table) link

CROATIA’S ADRIS 2007 NET PROFIT UP 11.3% TO 670 MLN KUNA (92 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 14:14 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

CROATIA’S ADRIS PROPOSES TO PAY 7.0 KUNA (0.96 EURO)/SHARE IN 2007 DIVIDEND, UP FROM 5.5 KUNA/SHARE FOR 2006 Apr 01, 2008, 14:16 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

CROATIAN SHIPPING FIRM TANKERSKA PLOVIDBA SAYS 2007 CONS NET PROFIT DOWN 6.5% TO 217 MLN KUNA (30 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 15:38 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Shipping Firm Tankerska Plovidba 2007 Unaudited Cons Net Profit Falls 6.5% - Table Apr 01, 2008, 16:00 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian shipping company Tankerska Plovidba on Tuesday reported a fall in its 2007 unadited consolidated net profit to 217 million kuna ($47 million/30 million euro) from 232 million a year earlier. link

Croatia’s Slatinska Banka 2007 Unaudited Non-consolidated Net Profit Rises 3.2% - Table Apr 01, 2008, 16:47 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian commercial bank Slatinska Banka on Tuesday reported a rise in its 2007 unaudited non-consolidated net profit to 9.8 million kuna ($2.1 million/1.4 million euro) from 9.5 million kuna a year earlier. link

Croatia’s Adris Raises 2007 Net Profit, Proposes Higher Dividend Apr 01, 2008, 16:54 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip tobacco and tourism conglomerate Adris raised its net profit by 11.3% to 670 million kuna ($144 million/92 million euro) last year and has proposed to pay higher dividend for 2007, a company official said on Tuesday. link

CROATIA’S DALEKOVOD UNCONS UNAUDITED 2007 NET PROFIT UP 5.7% TO 79.2 MLN KUNA (11 MLN EURO) Apr 01, 2008, 16:57 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatian Dalekovod 2007 Unconsolidated Unaudited Net Profit Rises 5.7% Apr 01, 2008, 18:13 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) –Croatian blue-chip power transmission equipment manufacturer Dalekovod reported on Tuesday a nonconsolidated unaudited net profit of 79.2 million kuna ($17 million/11 million euro) for 2007, up from 74.9 million kuna a year earlier. link

UPDATE 1 - Croatian Dalekovod 2007 Unconsolidated Unaudited Net Profit Rises 5.7% - Table Apr 01, 2008, 18:27 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds table) link

Croatia’s 2007 C/A Deficit Widens to 3.2 Bln Euro ($5.1 Bln) from 2.7 Bln Euro in 2006 – C-Bank Mar 31, 2008, 19:02 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 31 (SeeNews) – Croatia’s current account deficit widened to 3.2 billion euro ($5.1 billion) last year from 2.7 billion euro in 2006, the central bank said on Monday. link

UPDATE 1 - Croatia’s 2007 C/A Deficit Widens to 3.2 Bln Euro ($5.1 Bln) from 2.7 Bln Euro in 2006 -Table Mar 31, 2008, 20:41 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 31 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s current account deficit widened to 3.2 billion euro ($5.1 billion) last year from 2.7 billion euro in 2006, the central bank said on Monday. link

Croatia Sells T-Bills Above Target, Yields Unchanged Apr 01, 2008, 15:13 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s Finance Ministry sold 575 million kuna ($124 million/79 million euro) in three Treasury bill issues on Tuesday, above its target offer of 300 million kuna, as yields remained unchanged. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:17 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 10:33 CET | Broker's Report | SeeNews Highlights: [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/erstesecurities-croatianequitydaily-april1_2008-101045" class="spip_out">link

Croatian Share Prices Fall Further in Low Turnover in Bearish Market Apr 01, 2008, 18:00 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatian share prices slid further on Tuesday in low turnover in a bearish market, market analysts said. link

Croatia Schedule of Events – April 1 – May 17 Apr 01, 2008, 09:13 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (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 (*). Croatia C-bank Feb FX Reserves Rise to 9.7 Bln Euro - Table Apr 01, 2008, 10:21 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank's foreign exchange reserves rose to a preliminary 9.677 billion euro ($15.2 billion) at the end of February from 9.333 billion euro a month earlier, it said on Tuesday. [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/croatiac-bankfebfxreservesriseto9_7blneuro-table-101719" class="spip_out">link

Croatia’s End-Feb M1 Money Supply Down 1.96% M/M - Table Apr 01, 2008, 13:56 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s M1 money supply fell to 51.225 billion kuna ($11 billion/7.0 billion euro) at the end of February from 52.248 billion kuna a month earlier, central bank figures indicated on Tuesday. link

* Macedonia *

Austria’s Raiffeisen Investment Sees Value of M&A Deals in SEE Rising, To Set Up Unit in Macedonia Apr 01, 2008, 14:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Corporate finance advisory Raiffeisen Investment, part of Austria’s Raiffeisen Banking Group, sees the value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in southeast Europe rising this year in line with the region’s rapid economic growth and a shift in investor interest resulting from the global liquidity crisis, a senior company official said on Tuesday. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:00 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for March 31, 2008. link

* Moldova *

Moldova Trebles Jan-Feb Wine and Spirits Exports after Russia Lifts Imports Ban Apr 01, 2008, 10:55 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 1 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s exports of wine and spirits through February more than trebled from a year earlier to $24.5 million (15.6 million euro) after Russia lifted its ban on imports of Moldovan wine, official figures indicated on Tuesday. link

Moldova’s Fixed-line Telephony Revenue Rises 9.5% in 2007 Apr 01, 2008, 14:40 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 1 (SeeNews) - Moldovan fixed-line telephony revenue rose by 9.5% last year to 2.34 billion lei ($224 million/143 million euro), telecoms regulator ANRTI said on Tuesday. link

Moldova Sells 39.9 Mln Lei (2.4 Mln Euro) in T-Bills, Yields Rise Apr 01, 2008, 16:11 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Moldovan central bank, BNM, on Tuesday sold 39.9 million lei ($3.8 million/2.4 million euro) in three Treasury bill issues, below its target offer of 45 million lei, as yields rose on all three issues. link

Moldova Schedule of Events – April 1 - May 25 Apr 01, 2008, 10:18 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 1 (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 *

Montenegro Stock Exchange Launches One Million Euro Takeover Bid for NEX Montenegro Mar 31, 2008, 19:00 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 31 (SeeNews) - Montenegro Stock Exchange on Monday said it decided to launch a one million euro ($1.6million) takeover bid for the country’s other bourse, NEX Montenegro. link

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:13 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews New Securities Exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for March 31, 2008. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events – April 1 - May 15 Apr 01, 2008, 10:13 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), April 1 (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 *

STOCKWATCH - Raiffeisen Capital & Investment Starts Coverage of Romania’s Transgaz at ’Buy’ Apr 01, 2008, 10:59 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Raiffeisen Capital & Investment (RCI) said on Tuesday it started coverage of Romanian gas transmission company Transgaz with a ‘buy’ recommendation. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Transgaz Company Report - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 11:52 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews TransgazStable, Profitable and Undervalued link

Romania February Tourist Numbers Rise 9.3% Y/Y - Table Apr 01, 2008, 09:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists in Romania in February rose by 9.3% on the year to 440,600 and overnights increased by 8.8% to almost 1.0 million, the country’s statistics board, INS, said on Tuesday. link

Romanian Airline Carpatair To Start Flights to Greece’s Thessaloniki on April 24 Apr 01, 2008, 09:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romanian airline Carpatair said on Tuesday it will launch flights from the western city of Timisoara to Greece’s Thessaloniki on April 24. link

Romanian Hotel Operator Turism Felix To Pay No ’07 Dividend, Sees ’08 Gross Profit Down 8.6% Apr 01, 2008, 14:17 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romanian hotel operator Turism Felix on Tuesday said it will pay no dividend for 2007 and expects this year’s gross profit to fall by 8.6% to 7.5 million lei ($3.1 million /2.01 million euro). link

Romania’s MKB Romexterra Bank Sees 2008 Net Profit Doubling Apr 01, 2008, 14:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romania’s MKB Romexterra Bank plans to double net profit to 22.5 million lei ($9.4 million/6.03 million euro) this year, it said on Tuesday. link

Romanian National Bank - Monetary Indicators, Feb 2007 Apr 01, 2008, 13:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Romanian National Bank has released its monthly report on monetary indicators for February 2008. link

INTERVIEW - Romania Should Start Medium-Term Planning To Make Policies Predictable - World Bank Economist Apr 01, 2008, 15:44 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romania should start thinking bigger in terms of macroeconomic planning to increase the predictability of its development and become more credible to foreign investors, Catalin Pauna, senior economist with the World Bank’s Romanian office, said. link

ROMANIA’S FEB INDUSTRIAL PPI RISES 14.52% Y/Y, UP 1.30% M/M - STATS BOARD Apr 01, 2008, 09:03 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romania’s Feb Industrial PPI Rises 14.52% Y/Y, Up 1.30% M/M - Table Apr 01, 2008, 09:06 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Romania’s February producer price index (PPI) for the industrial sector rose by 14.52% year-on-year and was 1.30% higher on the month, the country’s statistics board, INS, said on Tuesday. link

Romania C-bank FX Reserves Fall to 25.157 Bln Euro at End-March Apr 01, 2008, 15:11 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The foreign exchange reserves held by Romania’s central bank, excluding gold, totalled 25.157 billion euro ($39.4 billion) at the end of March, down by a net 84 million euro from a month earlier, the central bank said on Tuesday. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 08:59 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for March 31, 2008. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:20 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The SIFs generated 56.44% of the Regular market daily turnover link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Weekly - Mar 24 - 28, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:25 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1A. Bucharest Stock Exchange Indicators link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 09:47 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Trader’s Comment link

Romanian National Bank - Developments on Romanian Financial Markets, Mar 24 - 28, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 12:44 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Romania BNR has released its weekly report on the developments on the local financial markets for the week March 24- 28 2008. link

Romanian Bourse Indices Close Higher, Liquidity Remains Low Apr 01, 2008, 16:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The indices of the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) gained more than one percent on Tuesday amid persisting low liquidity and no clear market trend, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - April 1 – June 4 Apr 01, 2008, 09:12 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Romanian Leu Gains A Little Ground vs Euro Apr 01, 2008, 17:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu gained a little ground on Tuesday to close at 3.7220/7250 per euro, compared to Monday’s closing 3.7270/7320, in line with the currencies of other regional markets, dealers said. link

* Serbia *

ANALYSIS – Croatian Companies Believe Zagreb’s Recognition of Kosovo Unlikely To Obstruct Business in Serbia Mar 31, 2008, 18:53 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 31 (SeeNews) – Most Croatian companies believe Zagreb’s recent recognition of the independence of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo will not obstruct their business in neighbouring Serbia and even expect a further boost there in the longer run. link

Serbia Sells Assets of ICG for 148.8 Mln Euro to Local Company Apr 01, 2008, 11:33 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia sold Belgrade-based real estate assets of hotel operator International CG (ICG), part of diversified group Genex, for 148.8 million euro ($233million) to local group NBGP Properties, the government’s Privatisation Agency said. link

Bulgarian Businessman Hristo Kovachki Plans To Build 1.0 Bln Euro Power Plant in Serbia Apr 01, 2008, 14:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian businessman Hristo Kovachki plans to build a 600-megawatt (MW) power plant worth an estimated 1.0 billion euro ($1.56 billion) in neighbouring Serbia, a press officer for Kovachki said on Tuesday. link

Serbia Gives Further Nine Months to Porr-Alpine to Complete Motorway Construction Deal Apr 01, 2008, 15:11 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia has given Austrian consortium Porr-Alpine an additional nine months, until the end of the year, to present bank guarantees needed for the signing of a key motorway construction deal, the Serbian government said. link

Kosovo Insurers Jan Gross Premium Income Falls 4.5% Y/Y to 4.2 Mln Euro Apr 01, 2008, 15:51 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, April 1 (SeeNews) - Insurance companies in Kosovo reported 4.2 million euro ($6.57 million) in combined gross premium income for January, down by 4.5% year-on-year, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Tuesday. link

Kosovo Commercial Banks End-Jan Loan Portfolio Rises 41% Y/Y - Table Apr 01, 2008, 16:06 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, April 1 (SeeNews) - The loan portfolio of commercial banks in Kosovo grew to 902.5 million euro ($1.4 billion) at the end of January, up by 41% from a year earlier, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Tuesday. link

Kosovo’s C-Bank End-Jan Assets Up 60% Y/Y to 1.08 Bln Euro-Table Apr 01, 2008, 16:17 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, April 1 (SeeNews) - The total assets of the Kosovo’s Central Banking Authority (CBAK) rose by 60% year-on-year to 1.08 billion euro ($1.69 billion) at the end of January, CBAK said on Tuesday. link

Kosovo Jan Jobless Numbers Rise 2.4% Y/Y - Table Apr 01, 2008, 13:23 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, April 1 (SeeNews) - There were 335,732 people unemployed in Kosovo at the end of January, up 2.4% from a year earlier, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Tuesday. link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 08:58 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Belgrade Stock Exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for March 31, 2008 link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - April 1, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 11:56 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for April 1, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market WrapUp - Mar 31, 2008 Apr 01, 2008, 12:31 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its Daily Market WrapUp for March 31, 2008, containg an overview of the Serbian Financial Market. link

Serbian Shares End Lower as AIK Banka Posts Highest Daily Turnover Apr 01, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 1 (SeeNews) - The Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices fell on Tuesday as blue-chip AIK Banka had the highest daily turnover, brokers said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events – April 1 - May 11 Apr 01, 2008, 09:50 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 1 (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 Furniture Retailer Lesnina Sees 13% Rise in 2008 Group Net Profit Apr 01, 2008, 12:00 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Slovenian furniture retailer Lesnina plans a group net profit of 15.254 million euro ($23.9 million) this year, up 13% from its projection for 2007, on the back of expected rise in sales, it said on Tuesday. link

Slovenia’s Istrabenz Sells 2.0% of Food Retailer Mercator Apr 01, 2008, 14:17 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Slovenian energy-to-tourism holding company Istrabenz has sold 2.0% of its stake in the country’s largest food retailer Mercator for an undisclosed sum, Mercator said on Tuesday. link

Slovenian Stock Indices End Narrowly Mixed, Seen Rising on Good Results Mar 31, 2008, 19:20 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 31 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices ended narrowly mixed in higher turnover on Monday, and brokers said they expect slightly higher share prices this week, fuelled by companies’ good 2007 financial results. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Fall in Lower Turnover Apr 01, 2008, 17:47 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 1 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices fell in lower turnover on Tuesday with most blue chips losing ground, brokers said. link

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