...Republic: GMT + 2 hours) ======================== ECONOMIC DATA ======================== No economic data are due for release until September producer prices and August industrial and construction output numbers on Friday. Real-time economic data releases.................... Previous stories on Czech data.............[CZ-RTRS-LEN-ECI] Overview of economic data and forecasts.......... Updates on Czech currency.............................[CZK/] ========================== TOP STORY ========================== The Czech economy will slow a little from current expansion rates but will still grow at more than a 5 percent clip in the years ahead, rating agency Moody's said. Story: [nL09434316] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-AAA] =========================== EVENTS ============================ FINANCE MINISTER SPEAKS: Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek is scheduled to present his draft 2008 state budget to a parliamentary budget committee at 0800. Recent story on budget: [nL04605816] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD-DBT] ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2007 Czech Equities 1,896.1 1,881.5 +0.78 +19.33 vs Euro 27.470 27.550 +0.29 +0.11 vs Dollar 19.575 19.474 -0.52 +6.35 U.S. Equities 14,044 14,066 -0.16 +12.68 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 ==================== ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS ==================== EU URGES BUDGET CUTS: European Union finance ministers urged the Czech Republic on Tuesday to speed up its budget deficit cuts, refusing to extend beyond 2008 a deadline to bring the shortfall below the bloc's ceiling. Story: [nL09698296] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-GVD-DBT] PROPERTY INVESTMENT: Czech property developer CTP Invest, whose real estate fund is a candidate for stock market offering, plans to invest 600 million euros ($842.6 million) on a new logistic centre, its co-owner said. Story: [nL09139689] Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-REA] ======================= PRESS DIGEST ========================== AAA AUTO : Used car dealer AAA Auto is leading talks on setting up a joint venture with Russia's largest automobile merchant, Rolf Group to operate a used car sales network in Russia. Lidove Noviny, page 15 AIRPORT PRIVATISATION: The government may act fast to privatise Prague's airport manager Letiste Praha, according to First Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Fuksa. He said the government is looking to begin the search for an adviser for the sale soon. Hospodarske Noviny, page 20 NEW CANDIDATE IN RACE FOR PRESIDENT: Economist Jan Svejnar, a professor of business administration at the University of Michigan, may run for Czech President after the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) joined the coalition Green Party in voicing support for his possible candidacy. The ruling Civic Democrats (ODS) have stood firm behind their own candidate, incumbent President Vaclav Klaus whose term ends in early 2008. Hospodarske Noviny and Lidove Noviny, pages 1 IPO CANDIDATE: Slovak developer HB Reavis, planning investments worth 1.5 billion euros ($2.11 billion) in Slovakia and the Czech Republic by 2015, is considering raising funds for expansion through an initial public offering (IPO), the entry of a strategic partner, or the creation of a real estate fund. If it decides to go ahead with an IPO, it would be interested in a dual listing in Paris and Prague. Hospodarske Noviny, page 19 ENTREPRENEURIAL CZECHS: More than 2.4 million various firms, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives are registered in the Czech Republic, at 24 percent of the population exceeding the EU average, according to a study conducted by Dun & Bradstreet. Many registered entities may, however, be idle. Hospodarske Noviny, page 15 FOREIGNERS: The number of foreigners working in the Czech Republic legally increased by 38,000 and totaled 223,000 at the end of September. The largest numbers come from Slovakia, Ukraine, and Poland. Experts see the increase reflecting a low unemployment rate and a workforce shortage in many industries. Lidove Noviny, page 15 (Reuters has not verified any of the newspaper reports that may be quoted above and does not vouch for their accuracy.) For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Czech events [CZ/DIARY] For calendar of east European economic indicators [CONV/DIARY] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST] For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United States and other Group of Seven countries see For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX News editor of the day: Jan Lopatka on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935 E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net ($1=.7120 Euro) Keywords: CZECH FACTORS/
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