Seenews: news report of 01.10.2008

Countries:

* Bosnia *

Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Consumer Price by COICOP Divisions - Aug 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 13:16 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The consumer price index in August 2008 less by 0,04% in relation to the previous month. link

Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Indices of Industrial Production - Aug 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 13:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Industrial production in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in August 2008 rose by 36,8 % in relation to the average monthly production of 2005, and rose by 5,2% in relation to August 2007 and less for 1,8% in relation to July 2008. link

Federal Office of Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Retail Trade - July 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 13:13 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews HOME TRADERetail trade link

Bosnia Banks End-Aug Deposit Portfolio Up 0.9% M/M to 6.576 Bln Euro - Table Oct 01, 2008, 10:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 1 (SeeNews) - The deposit portfolio of commercial banks operating in Bosnia rose to 12.861 billion marka ($9.497 billion/6.576 billion euro) at the end of August from 12.752 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Banks End-Aug Loan Portfolio Up 1.2% M/M to 7.239 Bln Euro - Table Oct 01, 2008, 10:07 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 1 (SeeNews) - The loan portfolio of commercial banks operating in Bosnia rose to 14.159 billion marka ($10.456 billion/7.239 billion euro) at the end of August from 13.996 billion marka a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – Oct 1 - Nov 20 Oct 01, 2008, 09:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through November 20. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

UPDATE 1 – Bosnia’s Q2 C/A Deficit Rises 31% Y/Y to 515 Mln Euro Oct 01, 2008, 09:49 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, table) link

Bosnia Q2 C/A Deficit Rises 31% Y/Y to 515 Mln Euro Oct 01, 2008, 09:39 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 1 (SeeNews) - Bosnia’s current account gap in the second quarter of 2008 rose to a preliminary 1.007 billion marka ($744 million/515 million euro) from 769 million marka a year ago, central bank statistics showed on Wednesday. link

BOSNIA Q2 C/A DEFICIT RISES 31% Y/Y TO 515 MLN EURO - C-BANK Oct 01, 2008, 09:31 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

* Bulgaria *

Austria’s voestalpine Signs MoU with Romania as Part of Plans for 5.0 Bln Euro Steel Mill in Black Sea Region Oct 01, 2008, 18:20 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) – Austrian steel producer voestalpine Group signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Romania as part of plans to build a 5.0 billion euro ($7.02 billion) steel mill in the Black Sea region. link

Bulgarian Banks’ End-Aug Assets Rise 37% Y/Y - Table Oct 01, 2008, 18:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - The assets of Bulgarian commercial banks totalled some 69.14 billion levs ($49.677 billion/35.367 billion euro) at the end of August, up 37% from a year earlier, central bank data showed on Wednesday. link

Bulgaria C-Bank End-Sept Dues and Equity Rise to 2.19 Bln Euro - Table Oct 01, 2008, 17:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - Total liabilities and equity of the Bulgarian National Bank’s (BNB) Banking Department totalled 4.273 billion levs ($3.07 billion/2.19 billion euro) at the end of September, up 5.12% from a month earlier, central bank figures showed on Wednesday. link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 17:02 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The dollar rose against the basket of currencies link

Bulbrokers - Stock Market Daily Review - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 17:01 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews US Stocks drifted from the bottom link

Fitch Places Bulgaria’s Petrol AD ’B-’ Rating on Watch Negative Oct 01, 2008, 16:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - Fitch Ratings has placed Bulgarian fuel retailer Petrol’s ’B-’ Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and ’B-’ senior unsecured rating for 100 million euro notes due in 2010 on Rating Watch Negative. link

German REWE’s Retail Chain Billa Confirms Medium-term Plans To Open Eight Stores/Year in Bulgaria Oct 01, 2008, 16:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) – The Billa supermarket chain, part of German REWE Group, on Wednesday reiterated its medium-term plans to open eight stores a year in Bulgaria in the medium term until it more than doubles their current number. link

Bulgarian Share Indices End Mixed Oct 01, 2008, 15:50 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian share indices ended mixed on Wednesday in a correction that followed sharp falls a day earlier, brokers said. link

Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - Quarterly Non-Financial Accounts of General Government - Q2 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 15:22 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Statistical Institute (NSI) has published its quarterly report on non-financial accounts of the general government for the second quarter of 2008. link

Bulgaria’s Jan-Aug Budget Surplus Rises to 2.43 Bln Euro - Table Oct 01, 2008, 14:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria had a consolidated budget surplus of 4.631 billion levs ($3.42 billion/2.43 billion euro) in the first eight months of the year, up from a budget surplus of 2.874 billion levs a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday. link

BULGARIA’S JAN-AUG CONS BUDGET SURPLUS AT 2.43 BLN EURO VS 1.51 BLN EURO SURPLUS YR AGO - FIN MIN Oct 01, 2008, 14:05 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

France’s Dalkia Gets Regulatory Nod To Take Full Control of Bulgarian Energy Efficiency Firm Oct 01, 2008, 13:39 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s competition regulator said on Wednesday it has given the go-ahead to French company Dalkia International to take full control of Bulgaria’s Company for Energy Saving (CES). link

Bulgarian Packaging Company Yuri Gagarin BT Borrows 1.5 Mln Euro for Working Capital Oct 01, 2008, 13:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) – Sofia-listed cigarettes packaging company Yuri Gagarin BT said on Wednesday it has borrowed 1.5 million euro ($2.1 million) from local First Investment Bank for working capital. link

Denmark’s Greentech Energy Systems Says Bulgaria Most Likely Location for SEEurope Expansion Oct 01, 2008, 11:49 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 1 (SeeNews) – Danish wind energy company Greentech Energy Systems is targeting Bulgaria as the most likely location for expansion in central and southeast Europe, the company CFO said on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Interest Rates Statistics - Aug 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 11:13 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published its monthly report on interest rate statistics for August 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Press Release on Interest Rates Statistics - Aug 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 11:11 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In August 2008 the Base Interest Rate was 5.25%, rising by 1.15 percentage points compared to August 2007. link

Bulgarian National Bank - International Investment Position - Q2 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 11:10 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published its quarterly report on international investment postion for the second quarter of 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Weekly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - Sept 26, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 11:07 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the weekly balance sheet of its issue department as of September 26, 2008. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:58 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:48 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews market highlights link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:27 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The yen extended its gains against the majors link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - Sept 29, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:15 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The yen rose against the majors link

Bulbrokers - Stock Market Daily Review - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:14 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Stocks fell sharply after the rejection of the bailout plan link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - Oct 1 - Nov 25 Oct 01, 2008, 09:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 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

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:10 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Stock Еxchange has published its report on turnover and prices for September 30, 2008. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:09 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews ZMM-Yakoruda AD-Yakoruda /3ZY/ submitted to X3 News the following information:The Board of Directors of the company has taken the following decisions at its meeting held on 27.09.2008:- Election of Damir Nakipovich Hayrullin as a Chairman of the Board- Election of Rozalia Azgarovna Hayrullina and Titko Aleksandrov Mandzhukov as executive members of the Board- Authorisation of Rozalia Azgarovna Hayrullina and Titko Aleksandrov Mandzhukov to represent the company jointly and severallyThe entire notification is available on www.x3news.com. link

* Croatia *

Croatian Share Indices Rally Oct 01, 2008, 18:39 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - The Croatian stock indices rallied on Wednesday in low liquidity after losses across the board a day earlier, brokers said. link

Croatian War Veterans’ Fund To Sell 7.0% Stake in INA to Hungary’s MOL – Media Oct 01, 2008, 18:11 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Croatia’s state-run fund of veterans of the 1991-1995 war on Wednesday decided to sell its whole 7.0% stake in oil and gas company INA at a price of 2,800 kuna ($553.1/393.9 euro) per share offered by Hungarian peer MOL in its piblic bid, the Croatian state radio reported. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Completed Construction Works, Orders and Residential Building, Legal Entities Employing 20 or More Persons - Q2 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 16:45 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The value of new orders:- in the second quarter of 2008 increased by 13.3%, as compared to the same period of 2007- in the period from January to June 2008 increased by 12.7%, as compared to the same period of 2007.The value of construction works done:- in the second quarter of 2008 increased by 14.7%, as compared to the same period of 2007- in the period from January to June 2008 increased by 13.9%, as compared to the same period of 2007.In the period from January to June 2008, construction companies employing 20 or more persons completed 3 461 dwellings, which was by 60.3% more than in the same period of 2007.At the end of June 2008, these companies were working on 12 275 dwellings (uncompleted dwellings), which was by 4.8% more than in the same period of 2007. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Utilisation of Waters and Protection of Waters from Pollution in Industry - 2007 Oct 01, 2008, 16:40 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In 2007 the water supply reached the total of 31 396 060 000 m3, in which the share of section C Mining and quarrying was 0.02% (6 883 000 m3), of section D Manufacturing 0.43% (133 477 000 m3) and of section E Electricity, gas and water supply 99.55% (31 255 700 000 m3).By origin, water from watercourses made 28.52% (8 952 029 000 m3), from reservoirs 61.96% (19 452 891 000 m3), while the rest of 9.52% refers to the waters from public supply, other systems, ground waters, springs, lakes and sea.There were 31 149 524 000 m3 used in 2007. Out of that volume, 97.06% (30 234 321 000 m3) was used in production, 2.90% (905 372 000 m3) for cooling, while the rest of 0.04% was used for sanitary and other purposes.Out of the total volume of water used in production (30 234 321 000 m3), 0.02% (7 506 000 m3) was spent for the production itself, while out of the total volume of water used in cooling (905 372 000 m3), there was 1.53% (13 907 000 m3) spent during the cooling process.In 20 07 the amount of 108 625 000 m3 of waste water was discharged. Out of that volume, 27.22% (29 571 000 m3) was dischargedinto the public sewage, 6.00% (6 504 000 m3) into watercourses, 62.74% (68 145 000 m3) into the sea, and the rest of 4.04% was discharged into the ground, lakes and reservoirs. The total of 2.15% (2 344 000 m3) was discharged from Mining and quarrying, 97.04% (105 398 000 m3) from Manufacturing and 1.81% (883 000 m3) from Electricity, gas and water supply.In 2007 there was the total amount of 14 118 000 m3 discharged purified waste water, out of which 55.51% (7 836 000 m3) into the public sewage, 3.64% (515 000 m3) into the ground, 13.21% (1 865 000 m3) into watercourses and 27.64% (3 902 000 m3) into the sea. According to the NKD 2002. sections, the total volume of water discharged from section C Mining andquarrying amounted to 2.11% (299 000 m3), from section D Manufacturing 96.68% (13 648 000 m3) and from section E Electricity, gas and water supply 1.21% (171 000 m3). link

Croatian Telco Metronet To List Commercial Papers Worth 50 Mln Kuna (7.0 Mln Euro) Oct 01, 2008, 15:52 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s Metronet Telekomunikacije will list commercial papers worth 50 million kuna ($9.9 million/7.0 million euro) on the Zagreb Stock Exchange on Thursday, the bourse said on Wednesday. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Completed Buildings and Dwellings - 2007 Oct 01, 2008, 15:35 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In 2007 there were 10 561 buildings completed, of which 80.3% were residential and 19.7% non-residential.The floor area of completed buildings was 5 164 904 m2, which was by 15.0% more than in 2006.There were 25 609 dwellings completed with the average useful floor area of 81.0 m2.By type of works, the greatest number of dwellings (93.1%) was built as new constructions (including renewals of dwellings heavily damaged in the war etc.), 6.4% as additions (extensions) on existing buildings and 0.5% as conversions of a non-residential space into a residential one. link

Croatia’s IGH Wins Design Tender for Zagreb Airport’s New Passenger Terminal Oct 01, 2008, 14:48 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue-chip civil engineering institute IGH said on Wednesday it has won an international tender to design a new passenger terminal at the Zagreb Airport. link

Three Retailers in Croatia Team up To Keep Market Share Oct 01, 2008, 14:17 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Croatian retail chain Plodine and the local units of Slovenia’s Mercator and Austria’s Billa said on Wednesday they have merged their supply chains in a joint venture, trying to keep their combined market share of 19% amid increasing competition. link

Croatian C-Bank Approves All Bids in Revrepo Auction, Weighted Rate Up Oct 01, 2008, 14:07 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank on Wednesday said it approved all bids for Treasury bills worth some 1.963 billion kuna ($388.1million/276.2 million euro) in a reverse repo auction. link

World Bank Approves 18 Mln Euro Loan to Croatia for Healthcare Project Oct 01, 2008, 11:39 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - The World Bank has approved an 18 million euro ($25.3 million) loan to Croatia for delivering faster and better emergency medical care, the bank said on Wednesday. link

World Bank Plans To Lend Croatia Up to $1.8 Bln For ’09-’12 To Back Country’s EU Accession Oct 01, 2008, 11:36 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - The World Bank plans to lend Croatia up to $1.8 billion (1.3 million euro) for the period 2009-2012 to support the country on its path to the EU membership, the bank said on Wednesday. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:47 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily Report - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:13 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: link

Croatia Schedule of Events – Oct 1 - Nov 6 Oct 01, 2008, 09:40 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through November 6. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Macedonia *

EU-aspiring Macedonia Scraps Entry Visas for EU Nationals Oct 01, 2008, 17:57 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (Seenews) – European Union-aspiring Macedonia on Wednesday scrapped entry visas for nationals from the EU member states and the Schengen zone as part of building closer ties with the bloc, the Interior Ministry in Skopje said. link

Macedonia To Auction 1.2 Bln Denars (19.66 Mln Euro) in Three-Month and Six-Month T-Bills on Tuesday Oct 01, 2008, 15:18 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank will auction 1.2 billion denars ($27.63 million/19.66 million euro) in three-month and six-month T-bills on October 7, the bank said on Wednesday. link

Macedonia’s C-Bank Absorbs 8.205 Bln Denars (133.6 Mln Euro) in 28-Day Repo Funds Oct 01, 2008, 14:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank said on Wednesday it absorbed 8.205 billion denars ($188.9 million/133.6 million euro) in 28-day repo funds from the banking system. link

Macedonia’s September Retail Prices Rise 6.2% Y/Y, Down 0.8% M/M - Table Oct 01, 2008, 12:57 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews ) – Macedonia’s retail prices rose by 6.2% on the year in September, after rising by an annual 7.5% in August, the country’s Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

Macedonia’s September CPI Rises 7.1 % Y/Y - Table Oct 01, 2008, 12:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s September consumer price index (CPI) rose by 7.1% year-on-year, after rising by an annual 8.6% in August, the State Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

MACEDONIA’S SEPTEMBER CPI +7.1% Y/Y, -0.2% M/M VS +8.6% Y/Y, -0.2% M/M IN AUGUST - STATS OFFICE Oct 01, 2008, 12:41 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Austria’s Soravia Group Opens 29 Mln Euro Trade, Business Centre in Macedonia’s Capital Oct 01, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Austria’s real estate developer Soravia Group on Tuesday evening opened a luxurious trade and business centre in Macedonia’s capital Skopje, following an investment of 29 million euro ($40.94 million). link

Macedonia Schedule of Events Oct 1 - Nov 14 Oct 01, 2008, 09:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Macedonia through November 14. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

* Moldova *

Moldovan Winery Chateau Vartely Opens $25.5 Mln Tourist Complex Oct 01, 2008, 15:59 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), October 1 (SeeNews) - Moldovan winery Chateau Vartely has opened a tourist complex near the Moldovan capital Chisinau, following a $25.5 million (18.2 million euro) investment, it said on Wednesday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - Oct 1 - Oct 29 Oct 01, 2008, 09:32 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Moldova through October 29. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

* Montenegro *

EIB Lends 30 Mln Euro to Support SME Projects in Montenegro Oct 01, 2008, 18:00 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 1 (SeeNews) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) said on Wednesday it will lend 30 million euro ($42 million) to support projects of small and medium sized businesses and local authorities in Montenegro. link

Montenegro Gets Two Bids for Sale of Healthcare/Spa Centre Simo Milosevic Oct 01, 2008, 15:00 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 1 (SeeNews) – Montenegro has received two bids in a tender for the sale of 56.5% of healthcare and spa centre Simo Milosevic, the government said on Wednesday. link

EIB Lends 20 Mln Euro to Montenegro to Support Infrastructure Projects Oct 01, 2008, 11:20 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 1 (SeeNews) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) said it has provided five loans for a total of 20 million euro ($28 million) to support transport, energy and environment projects in Montenegro. link

Russia’s Mirax Places Sole Bid for Tourist Project in Montenegro - Media Oct 01, 2008, 09:20 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 1 (SeeNews) – Russian property developer Mirax Group was the sole candidate to develop a tourist complex on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast in a joint venture with the Budva municipality, Montenegrin daily Vijesti reported on Wednesday. link

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:11 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The New Securities exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for September 30, 2008. link

* Romania *

Romanian PM Accepts Resignation of Deputy Fin Min Alice Bitu Oct 01, 2008, 18:45 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu has accepted the resignation of Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Alice Bitu, who is in charge of absorption of European Union funds at the ministry, the government’s press office said on Wednesday. link

Romania’s SIF 5 Oltenia Plans To Buy Back 10.0% Of Its Shares Oct 01, 2008, 18:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - SIF 5 Oltenia, one of Romania’s five regional investment funds, said on Wednesday it plans to buy back 10.0% of its own shares. link

Austria’s voestalpine Signs MoU with Romania as Part of Plans for 5.0 Bln Euro Steel Mill in Black Sea Region Oct 01, 2008, 18:20 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) – Austrian steel producer voestalpine Group signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Romania as part of plans to build a 5.0 billion euro ($7.02 billion) steel mill in the Black Sea region. link

ROMANIA’S SIF 5 OLTENIA SAYS PLANS TO BUY BACK 10.0% OF ITS SHARES Oct 01, 2008, 17:46 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romanian Stock Prices Bounce Back, Investment Funds Dominate Trading Oct 01, 2008, 17:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - The indices of the Romanian bourse closed higher on Wednesday after four consecutive days of declines, in trading dominated by the country’s five regional investment funds, the SIFs, brokers said. link

Romania’s Jan-Sept Consolidated Budget Revenue Rises 31.81% Y/Y Oct 01, 2008, 17:10 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - Romania’s consolidated budget revenue rose by 31.81% year-on-year to 113.30 billion lei ($42.43 billion/30.20 billion euro) in the first nine months of 2008, the Finance and Economy Ministry reported on Wednesday. link

Romanian Leu Firms up vs Euro, Eyes on U.S. Senate Vote Oct 01, 2008, 16:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - Romania’s leu on Wednesday remained close to the 3.75-per-euro mark, ending a little stronger against the single currency at 3.7420/7480 lei per euro, compared to 3.75/7550 lei on Tuesday, dealers said. link

Romanian C-bank FX Reserves Rise to 26.02 Bln Euro at End-Sep Oct 01, 2008, 14:45 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - The foreign exchange reserves held by Romania’s central bank, excluding gold, totalled 26.02 billion euro ($36.5 billion) at the end of September, up by a net 101 million euro from a month earlier, the central bank said on Wednesday. link

UK’s Regal Petroleum Spuds Well RBN-S1 in Romania Oct 01, 2008, 12:27 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - UK oil explorer Regal Petroleum said on Wednesday it has started drilling the appraisal well RBN-S1 in the Barlad concession in northeastern Romania, in which the company holds a 100% working interest. link

Germany’s Lurssen Lar To Invest 10.5 Mln Euro in Romania’s Mangalia Shipyard Oct 01, 2008, 12:23 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) – Germany’s Lurssen Lar Investment will invest 10.5 million euro ($14.7 million) in Romanian state-owned shipyard Santierul Naval Mangalia, the country’s privatisation agency AVAS said on Wednesday. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:44 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Financial-banking sector generated 84% of the Regular market daily turnover link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the news link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:08 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for September 30, 2008. link

Romania Schedule of Events – Oct 1 - Nov 30 Oct 01, 2008, 09:06 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through November 30. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:05 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its daily RASDAQ market report for September 30, 2008. link

Romania’s August Tourist Numbers Rise 4.3% Y/Y - Table Oct 01, 2008, 09:03 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), October 1 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists in Romania in August rose by 4.3% on the year to 959,400, the country’s statistics board, INS, said on Wednesday. link

* Serbia *

EIB To Lend Serbia 540 Mln Euro for Construction of Key Motorway Oct 01, 2008, 18:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) – The European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend 540 million euro ($758 million) for the construction of a key motorway in Serbia, the country’s Economy Ministry said on Wednesday. link

Serbian Share Indices Close Mostly Lower in Higher Turnover Oct 01, 2008, 17:55 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - The indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) ended mostly down on Wednesday in higher turnover, brokers said. link

Serbia’s Metals Banka Approves 1.04 Bln Dinar (13.5 Mln Euro) Capital Hike Oct 01, 2008, 16:14 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Serbian blue-chip bank Metals Banka said on Wednesday its shareholders have approved a 1.041 billion dinar ($19 million/13.5 million euro) capital hike aimed at backing its product portfolio expansion. link

Serbia To Attract $4.2 Bln in FDI in 2008 - Econ Min Oct 01, 2008, 14:02 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia expects to attract $4.2 billion (3.0 billion euro) in foreign direct investments (FDI) this year, lower than the initially projected $5.0 billion, the country’s Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic said. link

Serbian C-bank Keeps Key Repo Rate Unchanged at 15.75% Oct 01, 2008, 12:50 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s central bank, NBS, on Wednesday said it will keep its key repo rate unchanged at 15.75%. link

SERBIAN C-BANK SAYS KEEPS KEY REPO RATE UNCHANGED AT 15.75% Oct 01, 2008, 12:40 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Serbia’s Jan-July C/A Gap Widens 68.3% Y/Y to Prelim $5.632 Bln - Table Oct 01, 2008, 11:23 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s current account deficit widened to $5.632 billion (4.009 billion euro) in the first seven months of 2008 from $3.347 billion a year earlier, preliminary central bank data showed on Wednesday. The country’s current account gap widened by 77% to $5.286 billion in 2007, according to central bank data. link

SERBIA’S JAN-JULY C/A GAP WIDENS 68.3% Y/Y TO $5.632 BLN - C-BANK Oct 01, 2008, 11:17 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Serbia Approves 180,000 T Sugar Exports Quota to EU - Media Oct 01, 2008, 11:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia approved a quota of 180,000 tonnes for exports of sugar and sugar products to the European Union for the year ending September 2009, state news agency Tanjug reported on Wednesday. link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market Wrap Up - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:59 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its daily trading report for September 30, 2008. The report contains an overview of the Serbian Financial market.The attached report contains the following tables and charts: link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Oct 1, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 10:58 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews report for October 1, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Serbia’s MK Group Raises Stake in Local Food Producer Granexport to 97.77% Oct 01, 2008, 10:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Serbian agricultural company MK Group said it has raised its stake in local food firm Granexport to 97.77% from 95.89% in a buyout bid. link

Serbia Schedule of Events – Oct 1 - Dec 30 Oct 01, 2008, 09:33 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through December 30. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Sept 30, 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 09:04 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Belgrade Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for September 30, 2008. link

Serbia’s Flag Carrier JAT Airways To Remain State-Owned After Failed Tender - Media Oct 01, 2008, 09:00 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s flag carrier JAT Airways will remain majority state-owned and no other tender will be called after the latest attempt to sell the company has failed, local media quoted the Economy Ministry as saying on Wednesday. link

Serbia In Talks with Swedish IKEA for 1.1 Bln Euro Factory - Media Oct 01, 2008, 08:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), October 1 (SeeNews) – Serbia is in talks with Swedish furniture maker IKEA for a 1.1 billion euro ($1.54 billion) factory, the country’s Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. link

* Slovenia *

Slovenian Stock Indices Gain Ground, Investors Remain Cautious Oct 01, 2008, 17:26 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices headed higher on Wednesday in tune with earlier gains on the global markets, but spooked investors kept bailing on the market, brokers said. link

Slovenia’s NKBM Bank Says Business Steady, Feels No Pain from Global Turmoil Oct 01, 2008, 15:44 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s second largest bank by assets, Nova Kreditna Banka Maribor (NKBM), said its business is steady and corporate plans remain on target, bank officials said on Wednesday. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Annual Production and Utilization of Milk on Agricultural Holdings - 2007 Oct 01, 2008, 15:19 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Higher production of milk on farms in 2007 link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Area of Arable Crops, Provisional Results - 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 15:17 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Compared to last year, this year larger areas for grain cereals and fodder from arable land, and smaller areas for pulses, industrial plants and root crops. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Internet Usage in Enterprises with 10 or More Persons Employed - Q1 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 15:16 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the first quarter of 2008, 97% of enterprises with 10 or more persons employed had Internet access. 88% of enterprises used e-Government services. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Internet Usage in Households and by Individuals - Q1 2008 Oct 01, 2008, 15:12 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the first quarter of 2008, 59% of households had access to the Internet. 50% of the households used broadband Internet access. In the first quarter of 2008, 58% of persons aged 10 to 74 used the Internet. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events – Oct 1 - Nov 6 Oct 01, 2008, 09:04 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), October 1 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through November 6. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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