Slovakia - Factors To Watch on July 12

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JUNE HEADLINE INFLATION

The Statistics Office will publish June headline inflation data, 0700 GMT. Analysts forecast consumer prices to have risen by 0.2 percent on the month, putting the annual rate at 2.4 percent.

JUNE CORE INFLATION

The Statistics Office will publish June core inflation data, 0700 GMT. Analysts forecast core inflation of 0.2 percent month-on-month in June, for an annual rate of 2.3 percent.

MAY FOREIGN TRADE

The Statistics Office will publish May foreign trade balance data, 0700 GMT. Analysts forecast a foreign trade gap of 1.6 billion crowns in May.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Prime Minister Robert Fico will hold a news conference about plans to quicken highway construction in Slovakia, 0830 GMT.

PRESIDENT APPOINTS OSTROZLIK CBANK VICE-GOV

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic appointed central bank (NBS) board member Viliam Ostrozlik as vice governor to the bank on Wednesday.

[ID:nL11708166] [RTRS-CEN-PLCY-SK]

SLOVAKIA SEALS FDI DEALS WORTH 700 MLN EUROS IN H1

Slovakia sealed foreign investment projects worth 700.3 million euros ($962.8 million) in the first half of this year, topping the overall 2006 figure.

[ID:nL11812298] [RTRS-MMT-ELC-SK]

CROWN HITS 13-WK TOP VS EURO, SEEN VOLATILE

The Slovak crown firmed to a 13-week high against the euro on Wednesday, erasing early losses, and dealers said the unit would stay volatile in the short term.

[ID:nL11573939] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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EQUITY PENTA ACQUIRES PRIVATBANKA

Private equity Penta's acquisition of Slovakia's Privatbanka, private-banking oriented house, has been cleared by the Anti-Monopoly office.

Sme, page 8

NUKE POWER PLANT MODERNISATION

Skoda Praha, owned by Czech energy group CEZ , signed a 1 billion crowns ($41.24 million) contract on modernisation, seen in 2010, of Slovakia's nuclear power plant Jaslovske Bohunice.

SMe, page 8

LACK OF EU-OFFICIALS

Slovakia's still lacks, three years after joining the European Union, full capacity of top-officials in Brussels.

Sme, page 2

HIGHER FUEL PRICES

Prices of fuels will rise by 0.5 crowns, effective July 12.

Pravda, page 12

WEATHER JUMPS

Slovakia is expected to face extreme heat wave, starting Sunday, as meteorologists forecast a jump to 35-37 grade Celsius from present average temperature of 21 Celsius. Strong storms are expected to accompany next week heat-waves.

Pravda, 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: Jan Lopatka on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk

Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net

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

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($1=24.25 Slovak Crown)