Slovakia - Factors To Watch on April 30

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SAMSUNG PLANT

The world's biggest LCD-screen maker Samsung will open its new plant in Slovakia.

PM FICO IN BANSKA BYSTRICA

Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet citizens of the city of Banska Bystrica.

MARCH PPI BELOW FORECAST, RATES SEEN LOWER

Slovak producer prices rose less than expected in March thanks to lower energy costs, confirming a moderate inflation outlook and market expectations of a further interest rate cut.

[ID:nL27349096] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-SK]

[ID:nPRG000334]

SLOVAKIA REJECTS ALL BIDS IN 19-YR BOND AUCTION

The Slovak finance ministry rejected all bids in an auction of 19-year, 4.5 percent state bonds on Friday, the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency said.

[ID:nL27549060] [RTRS-GVD-DBT-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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FICO MULLS SINGLE HEALTH-INSURANCE COMPANY

Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his intention to nationalise health-care insurance companies and create only a single one. Fico's coalition partner HZDS party strongly opposes such plan, while the other coalition partner, the Slovak National Party, agrees.

Sme, page 1

FICO BACKS MECIAR'S GOVERNEMT ERA

Prime Minister Robert Fico backed the 1994-1998 government of former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar, now Fico's coalition partner. Under Meciar, when Slovakia became a diplomatic pariah and failed to join NATO along with other neighbouring countries.

Sme, page 2

HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM PAYMENTS

Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would bring back state transfers into the health-care system to 4 percent from 5 percent, effective from May. Analysts said the sector's debt could rise to 9 billion crowns at the year-end.

Pravda, page 1

EYEMAXX, GO ASSET TO INVEST IN SLOVAKIA

Austria's real-estate developers Eyemaxx and Go Asset are expected to invest 600 million crowns ($24.26 million) into a logistics centre in the northern Slovak town of Nove Mesto nad Vahom.

Pravda, page 17

DOCTORS, NURSES STRIKE EMERGENCY

Doctors and nurses of 40 hospitals will go on strike emergency status on May 1, demanding a 30 percent wage growth and a transformation of the healthcare system.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 2

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: Alan Crosby, on +420 224 190 477; fax: +421 2 5341 8403

E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk

Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.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=24.73 Slovak Crown)