Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Jan 18

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FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Industry and Trade Minister Martin Riman and CzechInvest head Tomas Hruda holds a joint news conference on 2006 results at CzechInvest, the state-run agency for promotion of foreign direct investment.

The news conference starts at 12:30 p.m. (1130 GMT).

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-MCE]

T-BILL AUCTION

The finance ministry offers a 6 billion crown tranche of 52-week Treasury bills at an auction to be conducted by the central bank.

- For auction results and details, double click on .

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-MMT]

C.BANK HOLDS NON-POLICY MEETING

The central bank's governing board holds a regular weekly meeting. It is not scheduled to discuss monetary policy issues.

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-CEN]

POLITICAL CRISIS WON'T END

A last minute deal to end an eight months political crisis is unlikely to bring stability and badly needed economic and social reforms to the Czech Republic.

[nL17924306]

PM SAYS HAS MAJORITY FOR KEY VOTE

Two rebel deputies agreed to ensure Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's centre-right coalition has a majority in a crucial vote in parliament on Friday, ending months of political paralysis.

[nL16655376] [nL16361008]

- For most recent news on Czech politics, double click on the code in brackets: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-POL]

- For FACTBOX on key posts in the new government, double click on [ID:nL08820235].

- For FACTBOX on key points of the coalition agreement, see [ID:nL08658091].

ANALYSIS: CROWN REGAINING FUNDING STATUS

A yawning interest rate gap versus major currencies is increasingly leading investors to sell the Czech crown for high-yield emerging markets assets, leaving it vulnerable to a short-term reversal of its 2006 rally.

[nL17214155]

REUTERS POLL: CROWN GAINS IN CHECK

The Czech crown is likely to hold steady versus the euro over the next three months after this month's drop from record highs, before returning to its long-term appreciation in the next 12 months, a Reuters poll showed.

[nL17764323] [CZK/POLL]

- For table of forecasts, double click on [nL17181830]

- For real-time economic indicators and market consensus forecasts, please double click on the following code:

[RTRS-LEN-CZ-ECI]

C.BANKER SEES RATES ON HOLD

Low inflation gives the central bank (CNB) room to delay policy tightening and keep interest rates at the lowest level in the EU longer than previously thought, CNB policymaker Mojmir Hampl told Reuters in an interview.

[nL16886267] [RTRS-LEN-CZ-PLCY]

- For selection of key comments, double click on [ID:nL16815103]

Overview of past economic data and market forecasts 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: Alan Crosby on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com

Reuters Messaging: alan.crosby.reuters.com@reuters.net

((Compiled by Marek Petrus; Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com or marek.petrus@reuters.com; Tel: +420 224 190 477))

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]