Slovakia - Factors To Watch on April 11

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FOREIGN TRADE DATA

The Statistics Office will publish February foreign trade data, (0700 GMT). The market had expected a trade surplus of 2.0 billion crowns according to a Reuters survey of analysts.

GOVERNMENT MEETING

The government will hold its regular meeting meeting on Wednesday.

OPPOSITION OFFICIALS MEET

Officials of the three opposition parties will meet to debate a joint position ahead of an extraordinary parliamentary session with a no-confidence vote on Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek on April 13, 0900 GMT.

CBANK REJECTS REPO BIDS TO STEM CROWN

The Slovak central bank (NBS) rejected some bids at its regular two-week repo tender on Tuesday, extending its efforts to stem the rise of the crown currency.

[ID:nL10363540] [RTRS-CEN-INT-PLCY-SK]

IND OUTPUT SLOWS FROM RECORD, SEEN SOLID

Growth in Slovak industrial output slowed from record highs in February on softer car production, but analysts predicted steady increases in key economic sectors throughout the year.

[ID:nL10477595] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-SK]

[ID:nL1022096] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-SK]

FEB RETAIL SALES +4.6 PCT Y/

Slovak retail sales rose a real 4.6 percent year-on-year in February, accelerating from a 0.9 percent increase in January.

[ID:nPRG000302] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-RET-SK]

FEB CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT +25.6 PCT Y/Y

Slovak construction output rose by a real 25.6 percent year-on-year in February, after 24.1 percent growth in January.

[ID:nL1022267] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-SK]

FEB REAL AVERAGE IND WAGE +9.1 PCT Y/

The real average industrial wage in Slovakia rose by 9.1 percent year-on-year in February, compared with an 8.6 percent rise in January.

[ID:nL1022405] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-SK]

CROWN FLAT, MARKET AWAITS TRADE DATA

The Slovak crown was locked in a tight range against the euro in light post-holiday activity on Tuesday, and dealers said investors were waiting for a fresh impetus from the release of February foreign trade data.

[ID:nL10434879] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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HOLIDAY VOUCHER

The economy ministry seeks an introduction of annual holiday vouchers, worth up to 10,000 crown, for employees going on vacation in Slovakia.

Pravda, page 1

PRIVAT BANKA ACQUISITION

Slovakia's private equity group Penta agreed with Austrian Meinl Bank, to buy a 73 percent stake in the Slovak Privatbanka. Is has to wait for a final approval by the central bank and the anti-monopoly office.

TRANSPETROL CASE

The receiver for bankrupt Russian oil firm YUKOS Eduard Rebgun will challenge the transfer of YUKOS' 49 percent stake of Slovak oil pipeline operator Transpetrol to Dutch YUKOS Finance. YUKOS Foreign assets are set for an auction starting in May.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 1

HZDS LEADERSHIP RUN

The HZDS party Chairman Vladimir Meciar will compete party's Vice-chairman Viliam Veteska in the chairman election run expected at party's June convention.

SLOVAK SLOVKORD EXPECTED TO INVEST $80 MLN

Slovakia's Slovkord is expected to invest up to 2 billion crowns ($80.38 million) in the western Slovak city of Senec, to build Europe's largest rubber fabric plant, Hospodarske Noviny cited Senec mayor as saying.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 14

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: peter.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net

For real-time index quotes, double click in brackets:

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($1=24.88 Slovak Crown)