ISI Intellinews

Police arrest over ### people in anti-organised crime operation Police have arrested some ### people over the weekend in the country#;s biggest ever anti-drugs operation.

Several US firms to arrive in country to discuss investment opportunities The representatives of four US firms were expected to arrive in Belgrade, where they should meet PM Mirko Cvetkovic and deputy PM Mladjan Dinkic this week to discuss plans

Country, IMF agree on disbursement of remaining instalments under stand-by loan Serbian authorities have reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the withdrawal of the remaining tranches under the EUR #.#bn emergency loan which was

During his stay in Brussels , foreign minister Vuk Jeremic has stated that visa-regime for Serbian citizens would be abolished as of ####. At the same time, Jeremic said that Serbia would file EU candidacy bid by the end-####.

The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) governor Radovan Jelasic said that the local economy would contract by #.#% this year, better than an earlier forecast of a #% contraction.

Public debt increased by EUR #.#bn or ##.#% ytd. to reach EUR #.#bn at end-September, or ##% of GDP, the finance ministry said. The internal debt amounted to EUR #.#bn, while external debt reached EUR

The central government budget deficit rose to RSD ##.#bn in Jan-Oct, and in October alone the budget recorded RSD #.#bn deficit, the data released by the finance ministry showed.

The country#;s external debt  edged up by EUR ##.#mn (#.#% m/m) to EUR ##.#bn at the end of September, the data from the central bank showed. This represents ##% of the projected GDP for ####

The Monetary Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) decided to cut the key interest rate by ###bps to ##%, the NBS has announced. The move was expected as Serbia reached a deal with the IMF a day earlier

Grain exports rose by #.#% y/y to #,###,### tonnes for USD ###.##mn in September. At that time, they rose by ##.#% m/m. In Jan-Sep, grain exports rose by a factor of #

The Naftohaz Ukrainy company completed the comprehensive restructure of its foreign debt via the exchange of eurobonds and obligations on bilateral loans for single investment instruments on Nov #, the press service of the company announced.

PFTS Stock Exchange turnover reached UAH #.##bn (USD #.##bn) in October. The total quantity of trades made at PFTS was equal to #,###. The majority of trades were made with Ukrnafta (UNAF), Azovstal (AZST), Enakievo Metallurgical Plant

The parliament decided to allow forcible recovery of wage arrears on court rulings from companies of the fuel and energy sector that are included in the register of companies of the sector participating in the procedure of redemption of debts.

Moody#;s Investors Service, an international credit-rating agency, has affirmed Kharkiv#;s long-term, foreign- and local-currency rating of B#. The outlook on the rating is negative.

Manufacturer of power and telecom cables and systems Turk Prysmian Kablo ve Sistemleri discloses to the Istanbul Stock Exchange that it placed the best bid in the tender held by the state-owned electricity transmission company TEIAS.

Total fuel consumption declined by #.#% y/y to ##.##mn tonnes in Jan-Sep, according to data of the Turkish Petroleum Industry Association (PETDER). LPG consumption was down #% y/y to #.##mn tonnes while gasoline consumption

The privatisation administration informs that it will hold the final tenders for three electricity distribution companies, namely Coruh Elektrik Dagitim, Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim and Yesilirmak Elektrik Dagitim, today (Nov #).

The country#;s largest mobile phone operator Turkcell was fined TRY ###.#mn (EUR ###mn) by a court in Ankara for breaching a contract on international connection and cooperation signed with fixed line operator Turk Telekom (TT).

One of the country#;s largest poultry firms, Banvit Bandirma Vitaminli, informs in a filing with the Istanbul Stock Exchange that it obtained a permission from the undersecretariat of foreign trade to export products to the Russian Federation .

French daily Le Figaro reports that BNP Paribas plans to merge Fortis Turkey and TEB (Turkiye Ekonomi Bankasi). BNP Paribas will take a ##% stake in the new entity which will emerge from the merger while the stakes of the

The banking regulation and supervision agency reported the banking sector#;s net profit at TRY ##.##bn (EUR #.#bn) in Jan-Sep, representing a ##.#% increase compared to the same period of last year.

Chairman of executive board of Vestel Sirketler Grubu, Omer Yungul, asserts that the household goods manufacturer expects TRY #.#bn to TRY #.#bn (EUR #.#bn) exports this year.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday (Nov #) met with key cabinet ministers, who are also the members of the national security council, to review works on the Kurdish and democratic reforms.

Chairman of executive board of Vestel Sirketler Grubu, Omer Yungul, asserts that the household goods manufacturer expects TRY #.#bn to TRY #.#bn (EUR #.#bn) exports this year.

The country#;s largest mobile phone operator Turkcell was fined TRY ###.#mn (EUR ###mn) by a court in Ankara for breaching a contract on international connection and cooperation signed with fixed line operator Turk Telekom (TT).

The privatisation administration informs that it will hold the final tenders for three electricity distribution companies, namely Coruh Elektrik Dagitim, Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim and Yesilirmak Elektrik Dagitim, today (Nov #).

The banking regulation and supervision agency reported the banking sector#;s net profit at TRY ##.##bn (EUR #.#bn) in Jan-Sep, representing a ##.#% increase compared to the same period of last year.

The Treasury held two swap auctions on Nov # when it sold TRY ###.#mn (EUR ###mn) of Aug #, #### TRY-denominated discounted bond, buying back Mar #, #### paper.

The Tunisian government plans to increase fivefold its production of renewable energies to reach ### MW over the next five years, Tunisia online news reported.

According to Intellasia , figures of the Department of Overseas Worker Management show that during the period January to October, Vietnam sent ##,### labourers to work overseas for fixed periods.

According to Intellasia , the World Bank (WB) stated in a recent report that Vietnam#;s economy was likely to expand by #.#% in ####, registering a rate of growth #pps slower than the average for the past few years.

According to news agency TNA, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) Executive Vice President Rungrueng Sukkerdpiboon stated recently that Thailand#;s housing prices were likely to increase by between #% and ##% next year.

According to news agency TNA , Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Tarisa Wattanagase stated that the recently approved second financial sector development plan for the period #### to #### was likely to strengthen financial institutions, besides reducing the cost of business

According to the Korea Times , analysts expect the Bank of Korea (BOK) to keep its key interest rate unchanged in November at a record low of #% despite the unexpectedly strong performance of S Korea#;s economy in Q#.

According to the Korea Herald , a recent report by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance stated that S Korea#;s economy was recovering at a faster-than-expected rate, with its production, private consumption, investment and exports showing a significant improvement.

According to news agency PNA , a recent report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the net profits of the Philippines#; banking system increased by ##.#% y/y to PHP ##.#bn in H#/####.The annualised

According to the official website of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippines#; headline inflation increased to #.#% y/y in October from #.#% y/y in September.

According to the official website of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Monetary Board decided on Thursday to keep the key interest rate of the BSP unchanged at #% for the overnight borrowing rate and #% for the overnight

According to news agency PTI , Malaysia#;s International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed stated recently that despite the global economic slowdown, bilateral trade between Malaysia and India was likely to show positive growth by early next year.

According to the Jakarta Post , figures of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) show that, Indonesia#;s large- and medium-scale manufacturing industries grew by only #.#% y/y in the first nine months of the year.

According to the Jakarta Post , the World Bank (WB) said recently that Indonesia#;s economic growth had suffered as a result of co-ordination problems among the various ministries involved in the country#;s economic reforms.

According to the Economic Times , Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia stated on Wednesday that India#;s agricultural sector would grow by less than #% in fiscal year ####-## (April to March) owing to adverse weather conditions.

According to news agency PTI , HSBC stated recently that it was maintaining its forecast of #.#% growth for India#;s economy in fiscal year ####-## (April to March).

According to the Financial Express , Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia stated recently that it would be a serious mistake to stop the reforms of India#;s financial sector.

According to news agency Xinhua , Development Research Centre official Liu Shijin stated recently that China#;s macroeconomic policy for #### should aim to maintain steady economic growth and stable prices.

According to the China Daily , National Development and Reform Commission Vice-Director Zhang Xiaoqiang stated recently that despite the global economic slowdown, China#;s investments in overseas markets had grown significantly.

According to news agency Reuters , People#;s Bank of China (PBOC) Assistant Governor Guo Qingping stated recently that China#;s economy was stabilising and its improvement was now well-defined.

Poll predicts parliament fragmentation after new elections The political scene should become more fragmented as eight parties would enter the parliament after new elections , according to a recent October poll of the MVK agency.

Parliament passes act on strategic companies The parliament approved the controversial strategic companies law on expedited proceedings. It should be enforced as of the date of publication but would be in effect only till the end of ####.

Net profit of banking sector shrinks by ##.#% y/y in Jan-Sep The banking sector realized a net profit of EUR ###.#mn for the Jan-Sep period, falling strongly by ##.#% y/y , data of the

EC sees economic recovery in country already in #### The regular autumn forecasts of the EC confirmed expectations that the Slovak economy would be able to partially recovery from the crisis already in ####.

The Trnava municipality selected construction companies Duha and Trnavska Stavebna Spolocnost for building the Trnava municipal industrial park, SITA Econ reported.

Real estate developer Ikea Center Group planned to invest EUR ###mn in Slovakia during the next three years, CEO of the regional unit of the group, Pavel Hradec, informed.

US pharmaceutical company Pfizer plans to expand on the Slovak market, company country manager Branislav Budke disclosed. He revealed that expansion was to be achieved through the acquisition of Wyeth Slovensko, the local unit of US company Wyeth.

Dominant landline operator Slovak Telekom (ST) posted a net profit of EUR ###.#mn for the Q#-Q# period, the company chairman of the board of directors, Miroslav Majoros, reported.

The parliament approved the controversial strategic companies law on expedited proceedings. It should be enforced as of the date of publication but would be in effect only till the end of ####.

Oil export duty down by #% m/m to USD ###.# as of Nov #   As approved by the government, Russia #;s crude oil export duties will decrease as of Nov # by #.##% to USD ###

RTS index down by #.##% w/w to ####.##pts during Oct ##-##     RTS index decreased by #.##% w/w to ####.##pts during a trading week of Oct ##-## after three previous weeks

CBR #;s Fx/gold reserves up by USD #.#bn w/w to USD ###.#bn during Oct ##-## CBR #;s Fx/gold reserves went up by USD #.#bn (#.#% w/w) to USD ###.#bn during

Federal Antimonopoly Service fined major Russian independent oil company Lukoil for RUB #.###bn (USD ###mn) setting yet another record for largest fine after last week fining another oil major Rosneft for RUB #.##bn.

According to the press release published by General Motors, its board of directors decided not to sell German automaker Opel, keeping the company instead.

As announced by the major state-controlled bank, VTB Bank posted RAS net profit of RUB ##.#bn (USD ###mn) in Jan-Oct #### vs. net profit of RUB #.#bn posted for the same period last year.

According to information provided by FinMin, government#;s domestic debt in securities went up by ##.##% ytd and by #.#% m/m to RUB #.##tn (USD ##.#bn) as of Nov # #### .

CBR#;s Fx/gold reserves went up by USD #.#bn (#.#% w/w) to USD ###.#bn during the week of Oct ##-##. As of Oct ## reserves decreased by ##.#% y/y vs. the Nov

Parliament rejects nominated PM Croitoru The Parliament rejected the nominated PM Lucian Croitoru and his team, which postpones de facto the formation of a new cabinet until after the presidential elections on Nov ##/ Dec #.

Opposition parties argue for single national energy holding The head of the main opposition party, leftist PSD (Mircea Geoana) and a major leader of the junior opposition party PNL (Varujan Vosganian) have both of them argues recently for a single

Central bank maintains unchanged monetary policy The central bank#;s monetary board maintained in this week#;s meeting the monetary policy interest rate at #% and also the required reserve ratios at ##% and ##% for foreign and local currency

  Even if the Parliament rejected this week the designated PM Lucian Croitoru, there were some (rather unexpected) good news that among others supported the investors; confidence and the exchange rate stability.

President Traian Basescu expressed yesterday morning, during a broadcasted interview, firm preference for the formation of a centre-right coalition of the party he sponsors, PDL, and PNL, but he admits that this scenario is impossible before the presidential elections.

Interagro group, controlled by the local individual investor Ioan Niculae, completed the EUR ###mn investment in a bioethanol plant located in Zimnicea, Southern Romania .

The employees in the public sector might receive only ##.#% of their wages in December as a direct effect of the measures aimed at the public payroll reduction, included in the package of bills recently approved by the Constitutional

State secretary of labour ministry Mihai Seitan expects the full-year budget deficit to exceed significantly the #.#%-of-GDP budget deficit target et under the latest version of the agreement with the IMF, because the measures aimed at

The Treasury failed yesterday when it attempted to tap the market by re-opening the #-yer bond launched earlier this year with a ##% coupon attached. The yield accepted by the banks decreased from nearly ##% in July to

The ministry of finance want to borrow EUR ###-###mn from commercial banks, which were informed about the bond issue to be organised today no sooner than Wednesday late.

The state forecasting body CNP maintains in the final Fall Forecast its projection for the year#;s GDP dynamics from the preliminary Fall Forecast issued on September ## and estimates a #.#% GDP negative correction for the year – slightly

Treasury still wants to sell power firm Enea to strategic investor The treasury ministry still plans to sell its ##.##% stake in power group Enea to a strategic investor and wants the transaction to take place in #### , according

Gov#;t to redirect ##% of private pension fund premium to state board ZUS The government plans to redirect as of next year ##% of the obligatory premium (#.#% of gross wages) paid to a chosen open pension fund

NBP#;s projection sees annual inflation at #.#% in ####, at #.#% in #### The average annual inflation will likely amount to #.#% in #### and to ease to #.#% in #### and #.#% in

The rising trend in the construction sector#;s business climate has been retained in Q#/####, the Institute of Economic Development (IRG) at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) said in a report.

Landline telecom Netia hopes that in the coming quarters it will manage to take over Dialog or Exatel telecoms, Netia#;s CEO Miros##;aw Godlewski told ISB newswire.

The country#;s second-biggest oil firm Grupa Lotos may achieve a slightly lower net operating result in Q#/#### vs. Q#/####, if macroeconomic conditions remain unchanged, the company#;s deputy head Mariusz Machajewski has said.

The government#;s proposals to halve open pension funds#; (OFEs) fees to #.#% of premium and to transfer ##% of these premiums back to the Social Security Board (ZUS) will likely lead to # out of ## funds posting

Poland plans to place #- and #-year fixed-rate bonds on the Japanese market worth of a total of USD ###-###mn on Friday (Nov #), deputy finance minister Dominik Radziwill has announced.

Poland#;s economic growth will likely slow down to #.#% in #### (the lowest level in at least ## years) from last year#;s #.#%, but should rebound slightly already in H#/#### (to #.#%), according to

The registered unemployment rate rose to ##.#% at the end of October, #### from ##.#% a month earlier, and vs. #.#% a year before, the labour ministry announced, based on data from labour offices.