PRAGUE, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press
reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial
markets on Wednesday:
ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours)
======================== ECONOMIC DATA ========================
Real-time economic data releases....................<ECONCZ>
Previous stories on Czech data.............[]
Overview of economic data and forecasts..........<CZ/ECON15>
Updates on Czech currency.............................[]
====================== EVENTS ================================
PRAGUE - Czech central bank's (CNB) Vice-Governor Miroslav
Singer and board member Vladimir Tomsik to present report on
Financial market supervision (0830 GMT).
Related news: []
PRAGUE - On-line interview with Czech central bank (CNB)
Vice-Governor Miroslav Singer on www.respekt.cz (1100 GMT).
Related news: []
PRAGUE - 5-year government bond auction <CZ1001887=> (after
1000 GMT).
Related news: []
PRAGUE - The Czech cabinet to hold a regular session. Agenda
includes bankruptcy and competition bills. News conference at
1100 GMT.
Related news: []
MIKULOV - Austrian President Heinz Fischer to meet Czech
President Vaclav Klaus. News conference at 1435 GMT.
Related news: []
====================== TOP NEWS ================================
CROWN SEEN EASING: The Czech crown <EURCZK=> is expected to
weaken 2.4 percent versus the euro over the next six months,
highlighting expectations for a further reduction in borrowing
costs following a surprise cut this month, a Reuters poll showed
on Tuesday.
Story: [] Related news: []
GRAIN HARVEST SEEN UP: The Czech grain harvest should grow
to its highest level since 2004 this year, reaching 7.5 million
tonnes, a 17.7 percent annual rise, the Agrarian Chamber said on
Tuesday.
Story: [] Related news: []
CZECHS SIGN COAL DEAL WITH POLES: The Czech Republic and
Poland signed a deal on Tuesday which will enable companies from
both countries to explore cross-boarder coal deposits, the
Industry and Trade Ministry said.
Story: [] Related news: []
---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------
Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change
close on day in 2008
Czech Equities <> 1,431.5 1,442.6 -0.77 -21.13
vs Euro <EURCZK=> 24.380 24.385 +0.02 +8.70
vs Dollar <CZK=> 16.474 16.578 +0.50 +10.15
U.S. Equities <> 11,349 11,479 -1.14 -14.45
Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500
====================== PRESS DIGEST===========================
PRESIDENT'S GEORGIA OPINION UNDER FIRE: Czech Prime Minister
Mirek Topolanek said he does not share the views of President
Vaclav Klaus that Georgia bears responsibility for the war with
Russia. He said Klaus's opinion complicates the country's
foreign policy.
Mlada fronta Dnes, page 2
FOREIGN MINISTER PROPOSES HELP FOR GEORGIA: Foreign Minister
Karel Schwarzenberg said he will ask the Cabinet to approve 150
million crown ($9.05 million) in humanitarian aid to Georgia.
Mlada fronta Dnes, page 2
Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it
vouch for their accuracy.
For Instant Views of key economic data click on
[]
For summary of economic data and forecasts <CZ/ECON01>
For diary of forthcoming Czech events []
For calendar of east European economic indicators []
TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets []
TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch []
For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United
States and other Group of Seven countries see <G7TODAY>
For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets:
Warsaw WIG20 <> Budapest BUX <> Prague PX <>
News editor of the day: Jana Mlcochova on +420 224 190 479;
fax: +420 224 229 935
E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com
(Compiled by Jana Mlcochova)
