Slovakia - Factors To Watch on April 10

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INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT

The Statistics Office will publish February industrial output data (0700 GMT). Analysts forecast industrial output growth of 18.0 percent, year-on-year.

RETAIL SALES

The Statistics Office will publish February retail sales data (0700 GMT). Analysts forecast retail sales to have risen by 5.0 percent, year-on-year.

CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT

The Statistics Office will publish February construction output data (0700 GMT).

INDUSTRIAL WAGES

The Statistics Office will publish February average industrial wage data (0700 GMT).

REPO TENDER

The central bank will hold its regular liquidity draining two-week repo tender.

SLOVAKIA WELL PLACED TO ADOPT EURO IN 2009-OECD

Slovakia is well placed to adopt the euro in 2009 as planned, the OECD said on Thursday, though it urged the authorities to remain on guard against inflation risks.

[ID:nL0528230] [RTRS-FRX-POL-CEN-SK]

CBANKER SAYS SKK INTERVENTION EFFECTIVE

The Slovak central bank's intervention to halt the rise of the crown currency on Wednesday morning was effective, board member Peter Sevcovic told Reuters on Thursday.

[ID:nL05104387] [RTRS-CEN-FRX-SK]

OECD CHIEF SEES U.S. SLOWING, RATE CUT POSSIBLE

U.S. economic growth will slow by about one percentage point to about 2.2-2.3 percent this year and the Federal Reserve may ease interest rates in the Autumn, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said on Thursday.

[ID:nPRA001234] [RTRS-FED-CEN-INT-SK]

OECD CHIEF:NO ROOM FOR EURO ZONE RATES AT 4.25 PCT

Underlying inflation in the euro zone does not signal a great danger at this stage and interest rates are not likely to rise to 4.25 percent, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said on Thursday.

[ID:nL05249848] [RTRS-EMRG-WEU-EEU-SK]

CROWN QUIET BEFORE HOLIDAY, SEEN STRONGER

The Slovak crown hugged a tight range around the 33.400 level to the euro Thursday, as investors squared positions ahead of Easter holiday.

[ID:nL05252220] [RTRS-MMR-FRX-SK]

C.BANK FOREX RESERVES DROP TO $16.564 BLN

The Slovak central bank's (NBS) foreign currency reserves edged down to $16.564 billion as of April 3 from $16.587 billion the previous week, the bank said on Thursday.

[ID:nL05213410] [RTRS-CEN-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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TRANSPETROL CASE

Foreign assets of the stricken Russian oil firm YUKOS, including the 49 percent stake in the Slovak oil pipeline operator Transpetrol, are set for an auction starting on May 10. The Slovak government has been trying to buy back the Transpetrol stake.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 1

CHEAPER GAS UNLIKELY

Prices of natural gas for households are unlikely to decline due to high cost of oil on world markets. The state regulator said earlier this year it expected cheaper gas in the second half of the year.

Pravda, page 1

LABOUR CODE DRAFT

The government will delay its debate on labour code amendments until April 18, due to longer-than-expected negotiations on the final version of the draft.

Pravda, page 1

MOTION TO DISMISS ECONOMY MINISTER

Opposition deputies will submit on Tuesday a proposal to dismiss Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek. The opposition has accused Jahnatek of promoting corruption in state arms makers. Jahnatek has rejected the accusations.

Sme, page 2

FICO POSTPONES LATAM VISIT

Prime Minister Robert Fico has delayed his visit to Latin America, which he was expected to begin on Tuesday, due to flu.

Sme, page 1

For news on upcoming events in the United States and other Group of Seven countries, see . For a diary of forthcoming Slovak events, double click [SK/DIARY], and a calendar of east European economic indicators, see [CONV/DIARY].

News editor of the day: Peter Laca, on +421 2 5341 8402; fax: +421 2 5341 8403

E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk

Reuters Messaging: pater.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net

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