Slovakia - Factors To Watch on April 19

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C.BANK GOV TO ATTEND NEWS CONFERENCE

Central Bank Governor Ivan Sramko will attend the opening ceremony of ABN AMRO's branch in Bratislava, 0900 GMT.

EU COMMISSIONER PIEBALGS TO MEET ECON MIN JAHNATEK

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will meet Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek and attend an energy conference, 1100 GMT.

MARCH JOBLESS DATA

The Labour Office will release March unemployment data, 0800 GMT.

TELEFONICA NEWS CONFERENCE

Telefonica O2 Slovakia will hold a news conference, 0900 GMT.

C.BANKER ODOR SAYS NO DEMAND-SIDE INFLATION

Inflation in Slovakia is not showing demand-led pressures at the moment and the country will very likely meet the inflation test for euro entry planned for 2009, central bank board member Ludovit Odor said on Wednesday.

[ID:nL18243574] [RTRS-CEN-PLCY-MCE-SK]

GOVT APPROVES LABOUR CODE CHANGES

The Slovak government approved on Wednesday amendments to the labour code to give workers more protection and tried to disperse worries by businesses that the changes would complicate their operations.

[ID:nL18438114] [ID:nL18699831] [RTRS-JOB-POL-LAW-SK]

CROWN STAYS IN TIGHT RANGE VS EURO

The Slovak crown held within a narrow range against the euro on Wednesday and traders said it was likely to tread water in the run-up to the central bank's meeting, rescheduled to April 24 from April 27.

[ID:nL18423293] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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SNS SEES ROOM FOR LABOUR CODE CHANGES IN PARLIAMENT

Jan Slota, leader of the junior coalition member Slovak National Party (SNS), sees room for changes in the labour code during the forthcoming parliament debate.

Sme, page 2

TRIGLAV ENTERS SLOVAK INSURANCE MARKET

Slovenia's strongest financial and insurance group Triglav will enter the Slovak market, offering services for small and medium enterprises in an initial phase.

Sme, page 6

DOCTORS' STRIKE THREAT

Slovak doctors might go on strike again due to persisting dissatisfaction with health-care system and the government's policies, their representatives said.

Pravda, page 4

FICO REMAINS MOST POPULAR POLITICIAN

Prime Minister Robert Fico kept his lead as the most popular Slovak politician in March with 40 percent, ahead of Jan Slota, leader of the far-right SNS party, with 15 percent, the Statistics Office said.

Pravda, page 4

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:

Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX50 Other related news: Slovak equities [SK-E] E.Europe equities [.CEE] Slovak money [SK-M] Czech debt [CZ-D] Slovak Indicators [SK-ECI] Emerging forex [EMRG/FRX] Eastern European [EEU] All emerging markets [EMRG] Hot stocks [HOT] Stock markets [STX] Market debt news [DBT] Forex news [FRX] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

($1=24.65 Slovak Crown)