BRATISLAVA, April 1 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial markets on Wednesday.
STATE BUDGET
The finance ministry will publish central state budget data for January-February.
ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
President Ivan Gasparovic and Prime Minister Robert Fico will address a conference on economic outlook, 1200 GMT.
GOVERNMENT MEETING
The government will hold a regular weeky meeting, 0800 GMT.
SLOVAKIA SAYS ECONOMY MAY CONTRACT FOR FIRST TIME
The Slovak economy may post its first ever annual contraction this year, officials said on Tuesday, signaling the euro zone newcomer has been hit by the global financial crisis more than previously expected.
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CBANK CHIEF SAYS CAN'T RULE OUT CONTRACTION
A contraction in Slovak gross domestic product (GDP) this year cannot be ruled out, central bank Governor Ivan Sramko said on Tuesday.
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SLOVAK PM -ECONOMY MAY CONTRACT AS MUCH AS 1 PCT
The Slovak economy may contract by as much as 1 percent this year but the euro zone newcomer should still stay above the average negative growth expected for the single currency area, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday.
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PRESS DIGEST
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CAR SCRAPPING SUBSIDY
The government's crisis council approved on Tuesday a plan to allocate another 33 million euros for the car scrapping subsidy scheme, doubling the original amount. The government is scheduled to debate the plan on Wednesday.
Sme, page 6
GASPAROVIC ON SMER
President Ivan Gasparovic said his failure in presidential election would be a failure of Prime Minister Robert Fico's SMER party, which supports him in the election. Gasparovic acknowledged making those remarks only after media published a video footage from his rally.
Sme, page 1
ELECTRONICS PRODUCTION
Production in Samsung Electronics' Slovak plant, making LCD TV sets, fell by 18 percent on the year in the first quarter. Sony Corp. said production at its Slovak unit was in line with plans.
Sme, page 7
FUEL PRICES UP
Prices of petrol fuels will rise by 0.02 euro per litre as of Wednesday, diesel fuels are expected to stay flat.
Sme, page 7
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