Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on March 29

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INTEREST RATE DECISION

The central bank (CNB) is widely expected to keep the policy rate, a two-week repo rate, on hold at its meeting on Thursday.

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The CNB has no set time for an interest rate announcement but usually publishes a statement between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. (1100-1200 GMT).

A news conference is normally held at 3:30 p.m. (1430 GMT).

- For a summary of most recent comments by CNB policymakers, double click on the code in brackets: [ID:nL28280579]

- For analysts' latest interest-rate forecasts, click on [ID:nL21449308].

- For earlier interest-rate predictions, see [CNB/INT].

- For FACTBOX on central European interest rate decisions, double click on [ID:nL23653755].

NO ECONOMIC DATA RELEASE DUE ON THURSDAY

- For real-time economic data releases and market consensus forecasts, double click on the code in brackets:

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

ORCO EARNINGS

Developer Orco Property Group holds a conference call with analysts on 2006 results at 5:30 p.m. (1530 GMT). [RTRS-LEN-CZ-ORCO.PA]

T-BILL AUCTION

The Finance Ministry offers a new tranche of 26-week Treasury bills in an auction to be conducted by the central bank. Bids are due by 12 p.m. (1000 GMT).

- For auction details and results, double click on .

DEFENCE SHIELD

The Czech government agreed to open talks with the United States on building part of a U.S. missile defence shield in the former communist country, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said.

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- For most recent stories on the U.S. radar base that the Czech Republic is considering offering to host, double click on the code in brackets: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-DIP-US]

GOVT TAPS BUDGET RESERVE

The Czech government agreed to tap into a budget reserve fund to spend 4 billion crowns ($190.7 million) on mandatory building savings and health insurance grants, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said.

[nL28674230] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD]

EURO COORDINATOR

Former central banker Oldrich Dedek became the chief coordinator of the Czech Republic's preparations for euro adoption, which the country plans in 2012 at the earliest.

[nL28608204] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-EUR]

POJISTOVNA STAKE SALE

At least four foreign bidders, including Europe's No. 2 insurer AXA and Belgium's KBC , are in talks to take a minority stake in Czech insurer Ceska Pojistovna, a newspaper reported.

[nL28548482] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-MRG]

SKODA SAYS FIRM CROWN HURTS

The unnatural strength of the Czech crown may force local industry to build up production abroad, if the country's central bank doesn't intervene, the head of the Czech Republic's largest exporter told Reuters.

[nL23681759] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-VOWG.DE]

Skoda, which has been negotiating a salary increase with unions, has upped its tariff wage increase offer to 7.5 percent from an earlier 6.1 percent, reported the daily Hospodarske Noviny. Unions want an increase of 17 percent, it added.

GOVT EXTENDS LEAD ON OPPOSITION

The Czech right-wing government has extended its lead over the leftist opposition, an opinion poll showed.

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- For most recent stories on Czech politics, double click on [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL].

Overview of past economic data and market forecasts For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Czech events [CZ/DIARY] For calendar of east European economic indicators [CONV/DIARY] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United States and other Group of Seven countries see

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX

News editor of the day: Alan Crosby on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com

Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net