BRATISLAVA, March 13 (Reuters) - Here are news stories,
press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak
financial markets on Thursday.
FEBRUARY INFLATION
The Statistics Office will publish February headline and
core inflation data, 0800 GMT.
Analysts forecast consumer prices to have risen by 0.3
percent on the month, calculated by the local methodology, for
an annual inflation rate of 3.9 percent.
Core inflation was forecast at 0.3 percent month-on-month,
and 4.2 percent year-on-year.
JANUARY FOREIGN TRADE
The Statistics Office will publish January foreign trade
data, 0800 GMT. The market forecast a trade surplus of 5.6
billion crowns.
PRESS DIGEST
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DATA LEAKS
Leaks from the Statistics Office, the central bank or the
finance ministry ahead of scheduled releases of key economy
indicators may have been behind crown firming seen before
publication of GDP data for the third and fourth quarter of
2007. All three institution rejected such allegation.
Sme, page 7
HIGHER DIESEL PRICES
Prices of diesel will rise by 0.4 crowns ($0.019) per litre
due to rising oil prices on the Rotterdam stock exchange.
Sme, page 6
ELECTRICITY IMPORTS
Slovakia, the European Union's first member facing
electricity production deficit, will import up to 25 percent of
power to meet market demand, which will influence the price of
electricity in the next five years. Slovakia imported some 2
terawatts last year.
Sme, page 6
VISA DEAL
Slovakia is expected to follow Czech Republic, Estonia and
Latvia and sign a bilateral memorandum on visa-free regime with
the United States in the coming days.
Pravda, page 1
IKEA BOOSTS FURNITURE PRODUCTION
IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailers, has boosted
orders from Slovak furniture makers. The Slovak furniture
industry is increasing production capacities, hiring more people
and reports higher profits.
Pravda, page 6
HYUNDAI-KIA
The Czech assembly plant of Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS> in
Nosovice, in cooperation with the Slovak unit of Kia Motors
<000270.KS>, will add the new Kia model to its production line
to boost sales in Europe.
Pravda, page 10
MEDIA BILL
Foreign Minister Jan Kubis has said the government should
accept proposals made by the Organisation for Security and
Coooperation in Europe (OSCE) and change the disputed media
draft.
Sme, page 2
CLIMATE IMPACT
The European Union's measures to curb impact on environment
are threatening the Slovak employment rate, Slovakia's employers
said. They said some companies could leave for countries with
less prudent environmental rules.
Sme, page 7
Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it
vouch for their accuracy.
For news on upcoming events in the United States and other
Group of Seven countries, see <G7TODAY>. For a diary of
forthcoming Slovak events, double click [], and a
calendar of east European economic indicators, see [].
News editor of the day: Peter Laca on +421 2 5341 8402; fax:
+421 2 5341 8403
E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk
