UPDATE 1-Slovak C/A gap jumps, mkt sees positive outlook

(Adds analyst comment, background)

BRATISLAVA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Slovakia's current account showed a preliminary deficit of 101.4 billion crowns ($3.74 billion) for the first nine months of this year, up from a 68.15 billion gap a year ago, the central bank said on Tuesday.

"It is a big figure, but without negative implications as we expect an acceleration of exports in the coming months," said ING Bank senior analyst Lucia Steklacova.

The central bank also revised the current account gap for January-August to 86.96 billion crowns, from an originally reported shortfall of 89.7 billion.

Slovakia's external balance has worsened in the past year, mainly due to imports of technology needed for large investment projects such as new car factories.

Analysts said the market was focusing more on the positive trade outlook, as new car assembly plants of France's PSA Peugeot Citroen <PEUP.PA> and South Korea's Kia Motors <000270.KS> will boost Slovak exports next year.

The central bank predicts a current account deficit of 104.3 billion crowns for the full year 2006, which it estimates to be 6.7 percent of GDP. It forecasts the deficit will narrow to 70.7 billion crowns, or 4.3 percent of GDP, in 2007.

((Reporting by Martin Santa, editing by Gill Tudor; tel. +421 2 5341 8402, email martin.santa@reuters.com; RM martin.santa.reuters.com@reuters.net)) ($1=27.13 Slovak Crown)

Keywords: SLOVAKIA C/A/