Interfax: Hungary news report of 31.10.2008

PRESS: Hungary, China in talks over USD 200 bln potential investments in Hungary

IMF, EU, World Bank agree on EUR 20 bln loan to Hungary

Hungarian PM proposes cutting 2009 budget deficit further to 2.6% of GDP amid possible recession

Hungarian government reckons with possibility of 2009 GDP decline – Finance Minister

MONETARY POLICY

Size of IMF-led EUR 20 bln loan facility to Hungary designed to "reassure markets" – officials

STATISTICS

Hungary’s PPI inflation accelerates to 4.7% y/y in September

Hungary’s unemployment rate at 7.7% in July-September, up 0.5 pp y/y

COMPANY NEWS

MANUFACTURING

GE to lay off 500 production workers in Hungary

German carmaker Daimler signs EUR 800 mln deal with Hungary despite financial crisis

CHEMICALS

Germany’s Linde to build EUR 26 mln industrial gas unit for Hungarian chemical firm BorsodChem

RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS

German drugstore chain DM boosts Hungarian revenues 18% y/y in FY 2008

ENERGY NEWS

OIL & PETROCHEMICALS

Hungarian retail gasoline prices to fall HUF 3 per liter this week, diesel down HUF 2

PRESS: Lukoil Romania profit drops 7% y/y in January-September

GAS

PRESS: Hungarian capital Budapest may sell majority stake in gas utility Fogaz

HEAT, POWER & SEWAGE

Hungarian state power group MVM sells 5.625 TWh electricity at auction

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Australian mining firm WildHorse to slow Hungarian uranium project amid market slump

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LANDLINE/MOBILE TELECOMS

Hungary’s new mobile telecom licenses attract 11 interested bidders to date – regulator

Norwegian Telenor’s Hungarian mobile unit Pannon ups operating profit 4% y/y in Q3

BANKING & FINANCE NEWS

BANKING

Hungary to set up comprehensive registry of private debtors

IMF to grant Hungary substantial financial package

INSURANCE

Hungarian investor Waberer launches new insurer, aims for HUF 2 bln revenues

EMERGING MARKETS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Russia wants creation of new legislation on global financial system – Russian president

Belarus to sign agreement with Russia to secure USD 2 bln stabilization loan

Ukrainian PM admits Ukrainian society split on NATO membership, referendum necessary

Kazakhstan’s Kashagan deal signed, commercial oil production to start by end of 2013

Kyiv, Brussels to prepare plan for introduction of visa-free travel for Ukrainians

Gazprom, Ruhrgas to set up energy efficiency joint venture

Entry into NATO’s MAP will not raise political tensions in Ukraine – Ukrainian president

Russia to strengthen strategic nuclear forces in response to U.S. missile defense plans – official

Russian Foreign Minister warns Poland against "speculative reading" of history

FINANCIAL MARKETS

EQUITIES

Budapest Stock Exchange share trading 22–31/10/2008

Budapest Stock Exchange, Indices, 22–31/10/2008

FIXED INCOME

Hungary fixed income benchmark yields 22–31/10/2008

CURRENCY