Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on April 2

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MARCH PMI, BUDGET DATA

Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for March is due out at 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT).

The Finance Ministry releases end-March budget balance. It is expected to publish a statement sometime after 2 p.m. (1200 GMT).

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

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

CABINET MEETING ON FISCAL MEASURES

The government convenes for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. (1530 GMT) to discuss a package of reforms aimed at cutting spending and revamping taxes in order to narrow the budget deficit next year.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

The centre-right coalition government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek wants to cut the budget deficit towards 3 percent of GDP in 2008 from 4 percent expected this year.

No announcement on the results is planned until Tuesday.

- For FACTBOX listing key proposals floated by media, double click on [ID:nL26523666].

ZENTIVA SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING

Drug maker Zentiva holds an extraordinary shareholders meeting to vote on the 460-million-euro acquisition Turkey's Eczacibasi Generic Pharmaceuticals.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ZNTVsp.PR]

- For a report on the acquisition, see [ID:nL05731068].

REGULATION

President Vaclav Klaus meets Industry and Trade Minister Martin Riman over environmental regulation of the energy sector.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ENG]

INTEREST RATES FLAT

The central bank (CNB) kept interest rates on hold for the sixth month running last week and re-inforced the market's view that benign price pressures warranted a further delay in policy tightening.

- MAIN NEWS STORIES: [nL29598110] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN-INT]

- HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS: [nL29449470]

- REUTERS POLL ON DATA DUE OUT IN APRIL: [ID:nL2940601]

- OVERVIEW OF NEAR-TERM ECONOMIC FORECASTS: [ID:nL29735550]

- SUMMARY OF COMMENTS BY CNB POLICYMAKERS: [ID:nL28280579]

- LATEST INTEREST-RATE FORECASTS: [ID:nL21449308]

- FACTBOX ON C.EUROPEAN RATE DECISIONS: [ID:nL23653755]

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