December 31 (SeeNews) - The wrap up of a half-a-billion euro deal for the sale of a tobacco company and the failure of two telco privatisation attempts that were expected to fetch more than twice as much, the acquisition of a stock exchange by its regional peer and the signing of an investment decision on a 220 million euro gas link, the collapse of governments in several countries and an invitation to another one to join NATO - SeeNews offers you a glimpse back at the key events that shaped the profile of another eventful year in Southeast Europe.
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JANUARY
MACEDONIA TOPS ECONOMIC FREEDOM CHART IN SEE, MOLDOVA STAYS AT BOTTOM
Macedonia once again ranked highest among the countries in Southeastern Europe (SEE) in the global economic freedom chart of The Heritage Foundation, although dropping by 10 places, while Moldova stayed at the bottom. Macedonia fell to the 53rd place from last year's 43rd place in the 2015 Index of Economic Freedom, U.S. think-tank The Heritage Foundation said. The think-tank's index measures economic freedom in 10 specific categories: labour freedom, business freedom, trade freedom, fiscal freedom, government spending, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights and freedom from corruption. Read more at: http://wire.seenews.com/news/macedonia-again-tops-economic-freedom-chart-in-see-moldova-stays-at-bottom-460559
SERBIA ACCEPTS ESMARK BID FOR AILING SMEDEREVO STEEL WORKS
The Serbian government accepted the offer of Esmark Europe, a unit of U.S.-based Esmark, Inc., for the privatization of ailing steel mill Zelezara Smederevo. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-serbia-accepts-esmark-bid-for-ailing-smederevo-steel-works-457762
SLOVENIA'S ADRIA AIRWAYS CO-OWNERS SIGN DEAL TO SELL JOINT 91.58% STAKE
Slovenian state holding firm SDH said several shareholders of national flag carrier Adria Airways had signed a deal to jointly pursue the sale of a combined 91.58% stake in the company. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-slovenias-adria-airways-co-owners-sign-deal-to-sell-joint-91-58-stake-457462
CROATIAN PARL APPROVES 1-YR FREEZE OF SWISS FRANC/KUNA EXCHANGE RATE
The Croatian parliament approved a bill to freeze for a year the exchange rate of the Swiss franc against the local currency, the kuna, in a bid to ease the plight of overstretched borrowers. The bill - slammed by local banks, was sent to parliament by the Croatian government in response to the surge of the franc following the decision of the Swiss central bank to remove its currency cap. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatian-parl-approves-1-yr-freeze-of-swiss-franc-kuna-exchange-rate-459922
CROATIA'S TANKERSKA PLOVIDBA OPENS BOOKS ON TNG IPO
Croatian shipping company Tankerska Plovidba [ZSE:TNPL-R-A] started book-building for an initial public offering on the Zagreb bourse of its wholly-owned unit Tankerska Next Generation (TNG). http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-tankerska-plovidba-opens-books-on-tng-ipo-460263
MID EUROPA PLOTS REGIONAL EXPANSION COURSE FOR SERBIAN FOODS GROUP
UK-based private equity firm Mid Europa Partners plans an expansion push across former Yugoslavia for Danube Foods Group, the Serbian foods group it has just acquired, Andrej Babache, a Mid Europa director, said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-mid-europa-plots-regional-expansion-course-for-serbian-foods-group-462406
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES TO INVEST $40 MLN IN NEW PLANT IN BULGARIA
International sensors and controls producer Sensata Technologies plans to invest around $40 million (35.3 million euro) in a new plant in Bulgaria's second biggest city Plovdiv this year and $12-$15 million in expanding its existing plant in the country, the company's general manager Tommy Ver Elst said. : http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-sensata-technologies-to-invest-40-mln-in-new-plant-in-bulgaria-462948
FEBRUARY
TELEKOM SRBIJA SEEKS ADVISER ON PRIVATISATION FORMAT
State-controlled incumbent telco Telekom Srbija invited bids for an adviser which will propose the format for its privatisation. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-2-telekom-srbija-seeks-adviser-on-privatisation-format-461991
PRYSMIAN GROUP, TRANSELECTRICA SIGN MOU TO STUDY ROMANIA-TURKEY SUBSEA LINK
Italian energy and telecom cable producer Prysmian Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Romanian power grid operator Transelectrica [BSE:TEL] to study the opportunities for the construction of a subsea connection between Romania and Turkey. Prysmian Group CEO Valerio Battista also announced two new industrial investments worth around 30 million euro ($34.4 million) in total in the southwestern Romanian town of Slatina. http://wire.seenews.com/news/prysmian-group-transelectrica-sign-mou-to-study-romania-turkey-subsea-link-461691
MOLDOVAN PARL APPROVES PRO-EU COALITION GOVT
Moldova's parliament endorsed a two-party coalition cabinet proposed by prime minister-designate Chiril Gaburici, a member of pro-EU Liberal Democratic Party, PLDM. The new government stepped in at a moment when Moldova's economy was struggling with a sharp drop in the local currency as a result of export restrictions introduced by Russia and lower remittances from migrant workers. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-moldovan-parl-approves-pro-eu-coalition-govt-464120
CHEVRON GIVES UP SHALE GAS EXPLORATION OPS IN ROMANIA
U.S. group Chevron Corp confirmed reports that it has given up its shale gas exploration operations in Romania in order to pursue other investment opportunities. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-chevron-gives-up-shale-gas-exploration-ops-in-romania-464795
IMF BOARD APPROVES 1.2 BLN EURO STAND-BY ARRANGEMENT FOR SERBIA
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said its executive board approved a three-year 1.2 billion euro ($1.36 billion) stand-by arrangement for Serbia. The Serbian authorities have indicated their intention to treat the program, based on three main pillars - restoring public finances’ health, increasing the stability and resilience of the financial sector, and implementing comprehensive structural reforms, to form a solid foundation for job creation and return to sustained high growth, as precautionary, the IMF said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-imf-board-approves-1-2-bln-euro-stand-by-arrangement-for-serbia-464818
MARCH
MOLDOVA STARTS NATGAS IMPORTS FROM ROMANIA
Moldova started importing natural gas from Romania for the first time in its history in a move to cut its dependence on Russian gas. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-moldova-starts-natgas-imports-from-romania-466357
CROATIA'S HEP TO ENTER EXCLUSIVE TALKS WITH MARUBENI ON PLOMIN C TPP PROJECT
Croatian state-owned power utility group HEP said it has signed an agreement to enter into exclusive talks with Japan's Marubeni for the construction and management of the Plomin C thermal power plant (TPP). http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-croatias-hep-to-enter-exclusive-talks-with-marubeni-on-plomin-c-tpp-project-465956
TELEKOM ROMANIA TO INVEST MORE THAN 160 MLN EURO IN 2015
Telekom Romania said it plans to invest more than 160 million euro ($170 million) this year in developing its fibre optics and 3G/4G networks and improving its services. http://wire.seenews.com/news/telekom-romania-to-invest-more-than-160-mln-euro-in-2015-467738
BELGRADE COURT OVERTURNS RULING ON BULGARIA'S CORPBANK OWNER EXTRADITION
The Belgrade Court of Appeal said it has overturned a decision of the Higher Court in Belgrade, which ruled that there are grounds to extradite Tsvetan Vasilev, the majority owner of Bulgarian delicensed lender Corporate Commercial Bank [BUL:6C9]. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-belgrade-court-overturns-ruling-on-bulgarias-corpbank-owner-extradition-467616
LIC33 GROUP ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN BULGARIAN TELCO BTC
The LIC33 Group, which describes itself as a group of companies bringing together European Union investors specialized in emerging markets and distressed situation, said it is the new majority owner of Bulgarian telecommunications group BTC [BUL:5BT]. “The former owner has irrevocably sold the assets against a commitment from the investor to refinance all debts due to the various banks vested in the situation. The initial estimation of the consolidated debts to be refinanced is 900 million euro ($956.3 million),” LIC33 said in the statement. The Bulgarian competition regulator, however, said it has not been notified about the deal. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarian-regulator-says-not-notified-about-telco-btc-deal-469211
SIGNING OF PSAs ON CROATIAN OFFSHORE BLOCKS DELAYED, EXPLORATION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2016
The Croatian Hydrocarbons Agency said the signing of Production Sharing Agreements with five companies that have been awarded oil and gas exploration licenses on offshore blocks has been delayed due to the need for consultations with neighboring countries. http://wire.seenews.com/news/signing-of-psas-on-croatian-offshore-blocks-delayed-exploration-to-begin-in-early-2016-468782
ROMANIA SHOULD MATCH PLANNED TAX CUTS WITH OFFSETTING MEASURES - IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the tax cuts planned by the Romanian government should be accompanied by offsetting measures. The Romanian authorities were proposing for 2016 to lower the VAT rate, excises, and taxes on dividends as well as cancel the tax on non-building constructions with an estimated direct revenue loss of 2.2% of GDP. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romania-should-match-planned-tax-cuts-with-offsetting-measures-imf-470453
TELEKOM SRBIJA ACCEPTS LAZARD FRERES SAS OFFER TO ADVISE PLANNED SELL-OFF
State-controlled Telekom Srbija accepted the offer of Lazard Freres SAS to provide advisory services on the planned privatization of the incumbent telco. Lazard Freres SAS was the only company that filed a bid in the advisory tender. http://wire.seenews.com/news/telekom-srbija-accepts-lazard-freres-sas-offer-to-advise-on-planned-sell-off-470026
CROATIA'S VALAMAR RIVIERA EYES POTENTIAL ACQUISITIOJN TARGETS IN ADRIATIC REGION
Croatian hotel operator Valamar Riviera [ZSE:RIVP-R-A] said it is considering potential acquisitions in Croatia and in the region with the aim of strengthening its tourism portfolio and raising its valuation. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-valamar-riviera-eyes-potential-acquisition-targets-in-adriatic-region-470050
APRIL
ROMANIA'S ROMGAZ BRINGS INTO PRODUCTION TWO GAS FIELDS
Romanian natural gas producer Romgaz [BSE:SNG] said it has completed works for bringing into production test two new gas accumulations. The daily production of the two wells exceeds 2,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day, which is approximately 3% of the company’s daily gas output, Romgaz said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romanias-romgaz-brings-into-production-two-gas-fields-470537
CROATIA SET TO HIRE IFC TO HELP FIND STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR NATIONAL FLAG CARRIER
Croatia is in the final stages of talks to engage the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to advise on the process of finding a strategic partner for state-controlled flag carrier Croatia Airlines [ZSE:CRAL-R-A], assistant transport minister Dan Simonic said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatia-set-to-hire-ifc-to-help-find-strategic-partner-for-national-flag-carrier-470824
SERBIA'S EPS UNIT STARTS SELLING ELECTRICITY ON HUNGARIAN POWER EXCHANGE
Serbian state-owned power utility EPS said its Slovenian-based unit EPS Trgovanje has started trading electricity on the Hungarian Power Exchange, HUPX. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbias-eps-unit-starts-selling-electricity-on-hungarian-power-exchange-471078
WESTINGHOUSE, BULGARIA AGREE TO CONTINUE TALKS ON NEW NPP UNIT
US-based Westinghouse said that while the shareholder agreement with Bulgaria for construction of a new unit at the country's sole nuclear power plant (NPP) Kozloduy had expired, discussions are continuing on a new structure and timeline. http://wire.seenews.com/news/westinghouse-bulgaria-agree-to-continue-talks-on-new-npp-unit-471340
KMG INTL GROUP TO INVEST $200 MLN IN 2015, MAINLY IN ROMANIAN REFINERY
KMG International group, formerly The Rompetrol Group, said it plans to invest more than $200 million (184 million euro) this year, mainly in the upgrade of its Romanian refinery Rompetrol Rafinare. http://wire.seenews.com/news/kmg-intl-group-to-invest-200-mln-in-2015-mainly-in-romanian-refinery-471674
SERBIA'S MK GROUP, IM MATIJEVIC TO JOIN FORCES FOR PKB TAKEOVER BID
Serbian vertically-integrated agro-industrial conglomerate MK Group plans to form a consortium with local meat producer and retailer IM Matijevic to pursue the acquisition of local agricultural company Poljoprivredna Korporacija Beograd (PKB), the two companies said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbias-mk-group-im-matijevic-to-join-forces-for-pkb-takeover-bid-471622
MOHAWK UNIT GETS REGULATORY NOD TO BUY BULGARIAN CERAMIC TILES MAKER KAI GROUP
Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions, a unit of US-based Mohawk Industries, received regulatory approval to acquire Bulgarian ceramic tiles manufacturer Kai Group from investment fund Advent International in the biggest transaction in the country since the beginning of the year. http://wire.seenews.com/news/mohawk-unit-gets-regulatory-nod-to-buy-bulgarian-ceramic-tiles-maker-kai-group-472619
CROATIA RAISES TOBACCO, PETROL EXCISE DUTIES TO TACKLE DEFICIT
The Croatian government decided to raise the excise duties on cigarettes and tobacco and on motor fuel to help deliver budget savings requested by the EU. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatia-raises-tobacco-petrol-excise-duties-to-tackle-deficit-472732
CROATIA'S PODRAVKA SIGNS DEAL TO BUY 51.55% ZITO STAKE FOR 33 MLN EURO
Croatian food, beverage and drug producer Podravka [ZSE:PODR-R-A] signed a deal for the takeover of a 51.55% stake of Slovenian food company Zito [LJE:ZTOG]. The deal price for the takeover of 183,386 Zito shares is 33 million euro ($35.2 million), or 180.1 euro apiece. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-croatias-podravka-signs-deal-to-buy-51-55-zito-stake-for-33-mln-euro-473278
SERBIA'S MK GROUP UNIT, PARTNERS LAUNCHING TAKEOVER BID FOR AIK BANKA
Serbian sugar maker Sunoko, part of vertically-integrated agro-industrial conglomerate MK Group, and partners launched a takeover bid for 2,610,495 regular and 732,116 preferred shares of local lender AIK Banka [BEL:AIKB]. The stake eyed for takeover represents a total of 28.86% of AIK Banka's voting rights. The offered price is 1,800 dinars ($16/15 euro) for each regular and 954 dinars for each preferred share that is targeted. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbias-mk-group-unit-partners-launching-takeover-bid-for-aik-banka-473333
SOFIA CITY COURT DECLARES CORPBANK INSOLVENT
The Sofia City Court declared Bulgarian lender Corporate Commercial Bank [BUL:6C9] insolvent. The court set November 6, 2014 as the starting date of the insolvency. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-sofia-city-court-declares-corpbank-insolvent-473498
MAY
ROMANIA'S OMV PETROM PLANS LOWER DIVIDEND, INVESTMENTS IN 2015
Romania's top oil and gas group OMV Petrom [BSE:SNP] said it will pay a gross dividend of 0.0112 lei ($0.0028/0.0026 euro) per share for 2014, versus 0.0308 lei per share paid a year earlier. The company also said in a statement it will invest an estimated 5.3 billion lei this year, 20% below the budgeted investments for 2014. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romanias-omv-petrom-plans-lower-dividend-investments-in-2015-474422
FREEDOM OF PRESS ON DECLINE IN MANY WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES - FREEDOM HOUSE
Many countries in the Western Balkans continued to exhibit a worrying pattern of press freedom violations in 2014, independent watchdog organisation Freedom House said. "These media environments feature several common problems: the use of defamation and insult laws by politicians and business people to suppress critical reporting; pro-government bias at public broadcasters; editorial pressure from political leaders and private owners that leads to self-censorship; harassment, threats, and attacks on journalists that go unpunished; and opaque ownership structures," Freedom House said upon the release of its 2015 Freedom of the Press ranking. http://wire.seenews.com/news/freedom-of-press-on-decline-in-many-western-balkan-countries-freedom-house-474644
HUNT OIL, NOBLE ENERGY, ANADARKO, EXXONMOBIL EYE BULGARIAN OFFSHORE TENDERS - GERB PARTY
US-based companies Hunt Oil and Noble Energy have serious interest in taking part in tenders for oil and gas exploration in two blocks in the Black Sea, Bulgaria's ruling party GERB party said. A few days earlier, GERB quoted senior officials of another two U.S. oil and gas companies - Anadarko and ExxonMobil - as telling Bulgarian government officials in Houston, Texas, they too are considering bidding in the two tenders. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-hunt-oil-noble-energy-anadarko-exxonmobil-eye-bulgarian-offshore-tenders-gerb-party-475527
CHINA'S CEE SET TO ACQUIRE STAKE IN PLANDISTE WPP PROJECT - SERBIA'S NIS
Preparations are underway for the acquisition by Chinese company CEE of a share in the Plandiste wind farm project, co-owned by Serbian oil and gas company NIS [BEL:NIIS], NIS said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/chinas-cee-set-to-acquire-stake-in-plandiste-wpp-project-serbias-nis-475209
ROMANIA C-BANK CUTS KEY RATE TO RECORD-LOW 1.75% FROM 2%
Romania's central bank, BNR, decided to cut its monetary policy rate to a record-low 1.75% from 2.0% per year, even though local banks were expecting it to keep the rate unchanged. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romania-c-bank-cuts-key-rate-to-record-low-1-75-from-2-475296
MOLDOVA DETAINS BUSINESSMAN OVER $1 BLM GONE MISSING FROM LOCAL BANKS
Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor was detained and charged with being involved in the disappearance of about $1 billion (888 million euro) from three local banks in November. https://news.aiidatapro.net/news/1495336/edit?news_mid=99341392
AURUBIS PLANS TO INVEST 180 MLN EURO IN BULGARIA BY 2018
Hamburg-based copper producer Aurubis plans investments worth 180 million euro ($205 million) in its plant in Pirdop, near Sofia, by 2018. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-aurubis-bulgaria-plans-to-invest-180-mln-euro-476526
IMF CUTS SEE GROWTH FCAST TO 1.9% IN 2015, 2.4% IN 2016
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its projections for economic growth in Southeastern Europe (SEE) to 1.9% for this year and 2.4% for 2016. http://wire.seenews.com/news/imf-cuts-see-growth-fcast-to-1-9-in-2015-2-4-in-2016-475841
MACEDONIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY DECLARES END TO KUMANOVO OPERATION
Macedonia's interior ministry declared the end to an anti-terrorist operation in the northern town of Kumanovo in which eight policemen were killed and more than 37 were wounded. Over the weekend, shootings and explosions broke out in Kumanovo amid a political crisis in the country, raising concerns about possible inter-ethnic violence. http://wire.seenews.com/news/macedonian-police-declare-end-to-kumanovo-operation-475855
IFC-BACKED PROGRAMME TO CUT NPL RATIO IN SERBIA
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched together with the Serbian government a programme to improve Serbia's insolvency system, reduce risks and boost lending in the Eastern European country. http://wire.seenews.com/news/ifc-backed-programme-to-cut-npl-ratio-in-serbia-476937
CINVEN FILES IMPROVED OFFER FOR TELEKOM SLOVENIJE
Slovenian state holding company SDH said it has received an improved final offer from private equity fund Cinven for a majority stake in Telekom Slovenije [LJE:TLSG]. http://wire.seenews.com/news/cinven-files-improved-offer-for-telekom-slovenije-sale-decision-seen-in-fortnight-477500
BHTC OPENS FACTORY NEAR SOFIA, PLANS 25 MLN EURO IN LOCAL INVESTMENTS
German car parts supplier Behr-Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC) held an official opening ceremony for a production and R&D facility worth more than 43 million levs ($24.5 million/22 million euro) in Bozhourishte, near Sofia. The German company, which specializes in climate control management systems, plans to invest another 50 million levs in Bulgaria over the next 4-5 years. http://wire.seenews.com/news/corrected-bhtc-opens-factory-near-sofia-plans-25-mln-not-100-mln-euro-in-local-investments-477420
CROATIA INVITES BINDING BIDS FOR KUPARI I TOURISM PROJECT
Croatia's state asset management office, DUUDI, said it is inviting binding bids from interested investors for the Kupari I tourist resort development project. The value of the investment in the project is seen at 100 million euro ($109.8 million). http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatia-invites-binding-bids-for-kupari-i-tourism-project-477752
GEBRUEDER WEISS OPENS 10 MLN EURO LOGISTIC TERMINAL IN BULGARIA
The Bulgarian arm of Austrian transport and logistics services provider Gebrueder Weiss launched a 10 million euro ($11 million) terminal in Musachevo, near the capital Sofia. http://wire.seenews.com/news/gebrueder-weiss-opens-10-mln-euro-logistic-terminal-in-bulgaria-478461
EU REQUESTS BULGARIA, ROMANIA TO APPLY EU RULES ON BANK RECOVERY, RESOLUTION
The European Commission requested Bulgaria, Romania, and nine other member states to fully implement the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) for a safer and sounder financial sector in the wake of the financial crisis. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-eu-requests-bulgaria-romania-to-apply-eu-rules-on-bank-recovery-resolution-478294
EU CLEARS ACQUISITION OF HYPO'S SEE BANKING NETWORK BY ADVENT
The European Commission approved the proposed acquisition of the Southeast Europe banking network of Hypo Group Alpe Adria AG of Austria (HGAA Southeast Europe banking network) by US-based Advent International Corporation. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-eu-clears-acquisition-of-hypos-see-banking-network-by-advent-478486
BULGARIA'S INDUSTRIAL HOLDING DOVERIE SIGNS PRELIM DEAL TO BUY LOCAL TOKUDA BANK
Bulgaria's Industrial Holding Doverie said it signed a preliminary contract to acquire 99.53% of Sofia-registered Tokuda Bank from its Japan-based owner International Hospital Service (IHS) aiming to diversify its portfolio. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarias-industrial-holding-doverie-signs-prelim-deal-to-buy-local-tokuda-bank-478718
JUNE
CROATIA'S ADRIS GRUPA SIGNS DEAL TO SELL TOBACCO ARM TO BAT
Croatian diversified conglomerate Adris Grupa [ZSE:ADRS-P-A] signed a deal to sell its tobacco arm Tvornica Duhana Rovinj (TDR) to British American Tobacco (BAT). The deal is valued at 505 million euro ($551.6 million) after the deduction of TDR's liabilities. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-adris-grupa-signs-deal-to-sell-tobacco-arm-to-bat-478646
BULGARIA'S BULSTRAD BUYS NON-LIFE INSURER UBB AIG
The Vienna Insurance Group said its Bulgarian unit Bulstrad has entered into an agreement to fully acquire non-life insurer UBB AIG and conclude a cooperation agreement with the United Bulgarian Bank (UBB). http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-bulgarias-bulstrad-buys-non-life-insurer-ubb-aig-478876
MACEDONIAN LEADERS AGREE ON EARLY ELECTIONS BY END-APRIL 2016 - EU COMMISSIONER
Macedonia's political leaders agreed on holding early parliamentary elections by the end of April 2016 to end the political crisis in the country, EU enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/macedonian-leaders-agree-on-early-elections-by-end-april-2016-eu-commissioner-479012
CROATIAN GOVT OKS AWARD OF SIX ONSHORE OIL, GAS EXPLORATION LICENCES
The Croatian government approved awarding six licences to three companies to explore for oil and gas in the northern Drava river basin and in the country’s east. The government will award four licences to Vermilion Zagreb Exploration, a unit of Canadian-based energy group Vermilion. Oil and gas company INA [ZSE:INA-R-A], co-owned by Croatia and Hungary's MOL, will get one licence as will Nigerian-based Oando. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatian-govt-oks-award-of-six-onshore-oil-gas-exploration-licenses-478984
CROATIA PLANS TO RAISE 1.5 BLN EURO IN HAC-ONC IPO - DRAFT LAW
The Croatian government expects to raise 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion) net from the planned initial public offering (IPO) of HAC-ONC, the maintenance and tolling unit of highway operator Hrvatske Autoceste (HAC), the text of a draft law on the deleveraging of the country's motorway sector indicated. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatia-plans-to-raise-1-5-bln-euro-in-hac-onc-ipo-draft-law-479276
SLOVENIA'S PIVOVARNA LASKO SIGNS DEAL TO SELL NEWS DAILY DELO
Slovenian beverage group Pivovarna Lasko [LJE:PILR] signed a deal to sell to local company FMR newspaper publisher Delo. FMR will pay a total of 7.3 million euro ($8.1 million) for the publisher. http://wire.seenews.com/news/slovenias-pivovarna-lasko-signs-deal-to-sell-news-daily-delo-479043
SERBIA, US DEAL PAVES WAY FOR DIRECT OVERSEAS FLIGHTS BY END-2015, EARLY 2016 - MIN
Serbia has signed an air traffic agreement with the US, which will enable direct trans-Atlantic flights between the two countries, the Balkan country's transport ministry said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbia-us-deal-paves-way-for-direct-overseas-flights-by-end-2015-early-2016-min-478710
OTP TO BUY SERBIA'S FINDOMESTIC BANKA, EYES REGION FOR MORE ACQUISITIONS
OTP Banka Srbija has signed an agreement with Italian specialist bank Findomestic Banca to acquire 100% of Serbia's Findomestic Banka, Hungary's OTP Bank said. Following the announced transaction OTP Bank will seek further regional acquisition opportunities that could contribute to shareholder value creation, the Hungarian group said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/otp-to-buy-serbias-findomestic-banka-eyes-region-for-more-acquisitions-480366
NKBM SELLING 89.5% STAKE IN SERBIA'S KBM BANKA
Slovenian state-owned lender NKBM said is selling its 89.53% stake in Serbia's KBM Banka. Kragujevac-based KBM Banka had 270 staff as of the end of March and assets totalling 74 million euro ($83.1 million). http://wire.seenews.com/news/nkbm-selling-89-5-stake-in-serbias-kbm-banka-480245
ROMANIA PLANS TO SELL 26.7% OF OIL REFINER ROMPETROL RAFINARE
Romania plans to put up for sale a 26.7% stake in oil refiner Rompetrol Rafinare [BSE:RRC] for at least $200 million (176 million euro), the energy ministry said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romania-plans-to-sell-26-7-of-oil-refiner-rompetrol-rafinare-480204
MOLDOVA'S PM RESIGNS AFTER LAUNCH OF FAKE DIPLOMA PROBE
Moldova's prime minister Chiril Gaburici decided to resign, after two weeks earlier prosecutors launched an investigation on suspicions that he had forged his high school diploma. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-moldovas-pm-resigns-after-launch-of-fake-diploma-probe-480339
SERBIAN GOVT ADOPTS DECISION ON LAUNCHING TELEKOM SRBIJA SALE
The Serbian government adopted a decision on launching the privatisation process for incumbent telco Telekom Srbija. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-serbian-govt-adopts-decision-on-launching-telekom-srbija-sale-481925
BULGARIA'S C-BANK GOVERNOR RESIGNS AS OF JULY 10
The governor of Bulgaria's central bank, Ivan Iskrov, said he will resign as of July 10, three months ahead of the expiry of his term. Iskrov had been resisting for a year calls to assume responsibility for mishandling a banking crisis that broke out after the country's fourth largest lender, Corporate Commercial Bank (Corpbank), was placed under special supervision over risk of insolvency and later declared bankrupt. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-bulgarias-c-bank-governor-resigns-as-of-july-10-481527
ERG RENEW, LUKOIL DISSOLVE ROMANIA, BULGARIA-FOCUSED JV
The two shareholders of LUKERG Renew, a 50/50 joint venture between ERG Renew and LUKOIL created in 2011 with a view to investing in the wind sector in Bulgaria and Romania, have mutually agreed to dissolve the joint venture. http://wire.seenews.com/news/erg-renew-lukoil-dissolve-romania-bulgaria-focused-jv-481981
CROATIA'S PODRAVKA ISSUES INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW SHARE OFFERING
Croatian food, beverage and drug producer Podravka [ZSE:PODR-R-A] issued an invitation to subscribe for the first and second round of its new share issue as part of an up to 374 million kuna ($55.3 million/49.3 million euro) capital hike. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-podravka-issues-invitation-to-subscribe-for-new-share-offering-481717
SLOVENIA'S ABANKA GETS ANTI-TRUST NOD FOR PLANNED MERGER WITH BANKA CELJE
Slovenian lender Abanka obtained the approval of the country's anti-trust authority for its planned merger with local peer Banka Celje. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-slovenias-abanka-gets-anti-trust-nod-for-planned-merger-with-banka-celje-481336
JULY
MACEDONIA LIMITS CAPITAL OUTFLOWS TO GREECE, SERBIAN C-BANK IMPOSES TRANSACTION LIMITS ON GREEK-OWNED BANKS
Macedonia's central bank decided to limit capital outflows to Greece in a bid to avoid risks to its financial stability after its southern neighbour decided to impose capital controls and declare a bank holiday. In Serbia, the central bank started implementing preventive measures to monitor and limit transactions of local Greek-owned lenders with their parent banks in order to avoid spillover effects from the Greek crisis.
SERBIA INVITES NON-BINDING BIDS FOR INCUMBENT TELCO
Serbia's Privatisation Agency invited on-binding bids for the sale of state-owned equity in incumbent telco Telekom Srbija. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-serbia-invites-non-binding-bids-for-incumbent-telco-482889
RWE, CROATIA'S HEP SET UP RENEWABLE ENERGY JV
Croatian state-owned energy utility HEP has set up with German energy company RWE a 50/50 joint venture for managing renewable energy projects. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-rwe-croatias-hep-set-up-renewable-energy-jv-482740
SLOVENIA INVITES EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR MAJORITY STAKE IN ADRIA AIRWAYS
Slovenian state holding company SDH, which is coordinating the privatisation process in the country, invited expressions of interest for a majority stake in national air carrier Adria Airways. http://wire.seenews.com/news/slovenia-invites-expressions-of-interest-for-majority-stake-in-adria-airways-482591
GTC SIGNS PRELIM DEALS TO SELL SHOPPING MALLS IN CROATIA, BULGARIA
Polish real estate developer GTC said it has signed preliminary agreements to sell its Avenue Mall in Croatia's Osijek and the Galleria Varna shopping mall in Bulgaria. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-gtc-signs-prelim-deals-to-sell-shopping-malls-in-croatia-bulgaria-482540
TELEKOM AUSTRIA, TELEKOM SLOVENIJE UNITS IN MACEDONIA GET ANTI-TRUST NOD TO MERGE
The Macedonian competition authority said in a statement on Wednesday it has cleared the planned merger of the Macedonian units of Telekom Slovenije [LJE:TLSG] and Telekom Austria. The approval is based on specific obligations, including the obligation that the merged company shall provide access to Macedonian mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). http://wire.seenews.com/news/telekom-austria-telekom-slovenije-units-in-macedonia-get-anti-trust-nod-to-merge-483464
CEE, SEE COUNTRIES SIGN MOU ON INTEGRATED GAS MARKET
Thirteen countries from Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and Southеastern Europe (SEE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on creating an integrated gas market, the European Commission said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/cee-see-countries-sign-mou-on-integrated-gas-market-483725
SERBIA'S INSTALLED WIND CAPACITY TO SOAR TO 542 MW BY 2025 - GLOBAL DATA
Total onshore wind installed capacity in Serbia will soar from just 20 megawatts (MW) in 2014 to an estimated 542 MW by 2025, global research and consulting firm Global Data said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbia-installed-wind-capacity-to-soar-to-542-mw-by-2025-global-data-483577
CARREFOUR FRANCHISEE IN BULGARIA SAYS WILL NOT PROCEED WITH AP MART MERGER
CMB B.V., a unit of Greece's Marinopoulos Group which holds the franchise rights for the Carrefour supermarkets in Bulgaria, said on Monday it will not proceed with the planned merger with local company AP Mart, owner of the Piccadilly supermarkets chain. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-carrefour-franchisee-in-bulgaria-says-will-not-proceed-with-ap-mart-merger-484783
CEESEG TO SELL 100% OF LJUBLJANA BOURSE TO ZAGREB STOCK EXCHANGE
The Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) signed a deal with CEE Stock Exchange Group (CEESEG) to take over 100% of Ljubljana bourse. Upon approval by regulatory authorities of both countries and following a capital increase by the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE), the transaction is expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year, the LJSE said. In addition to the share purchase agreement, the Vienna Stock Exchange and the ZSE also signed a letter of intent, forming a partnership focused on sharing their trading technology. In 2014, total turnover on the Ljubljana bourse stood at 686.3 million euro ($740.7 million), including equity deals totalling 608.1 million euro. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-ceeseg-to-sell-100-of-ljubljana-bourse-to-zagreb-stock-exchange-484450
CHINESE COMPANY EYES LUKOIL'S ROMANIAN REFINERY
Beijing-based China Peace Petroleum Group has shown interest in opening talks with Russian group Lukoil on buying the group's Romanian refinery, Lukoil's Romanian unit Petrotel Lukoil said on Tuesday. http://wire.seenews.com/news/chinese-company-eyes-lukoils-romanian-refinery-484894
JOHNSON ELECTRIC TO INVEST 50 MLN EURO TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN SERBIA - ECON MIN
The Serbian government signed with Hong Kong-based electronic motion subsystems maker Johnson Electric a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a 50 million euro ($54.9 million) investment in the expansion of the company's activities in the southern city of Nis, Serbia's economy ministry said: http://wire.seenews.com/news/johson-electric-to-invest-50-mln-euro-to-expand-operations-in-serbia-econ-min-485437
BOSNIA'S BIMAL EYES INCREASE IN SALES AS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK EXPANDS TO MIDDLE EAST, CHINA
Bosnian edible oil producer Bimal expects its sales to rise this year on the back of the company’s expanding distribution network which has recently come to encompass the Middle East and China. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-bosnias-bimal-eyes-increase-in-sales-as-distribution-network-expands-to-middle-east-china-485334
CROATIA PLANS SECOND LICENSING ROUND FOR OFFSHORE, ONSHORE DRILLING IN SEPT
The Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (CHA) said that a second licensing round for offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration is planned to be launched in September. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatia-plans-second-licensing-round-for-offshore-onshore-drilling-in-sept-486153
BULGARIA'S MOBILTEL BUYS CABLE OPERATOR BLIZOO
Bulgarian mobile operator Mobiltel, part of Telekom Austria Group, agreed with Swedish private equity group EQT to acquire 100% of cable operator Blizoo Bulgaria. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-bulgarias-mobiltel-buys-cable-operator-blizoo-486212
AUGUST
LNG HRVATSKA LAUNCHES BINDING BID PHASE FOR KRK TERMINAL CAPACITY ALLOCATION
Croatian state-owned company LNG Hrvatska launched the binding bid phase to book capacity at the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Adriatic island of Krk.http://wire.seenews.com/news/lng-hrvatska-launches-binding-bid-phase-for-krk-terminal-capacity-allocation-486836
SAFIC-ALCAN ACQUIRES DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS OF BULGARIA'S CHIMSNAB BG
French-based specialty chemicals distributor Safic-Alcan said it has acquired the distribution business of Bulgaria's Chimsnab BG in a bid to further enlarge its product range. http://wire.seenews.com/news/safic-alcan-acquires-distribution-business-of-bulgarias-chimsnab-bg-487020
ROMANIA CHARGES LOCAL LUKOIL ARM WITH MONEY LAUNDERING, TAX EVASION
Romanian prosecutors said they have charged Russian group Lukoil's Romanian refinery, Petrotel Lukoil, several of its managers and employees and its majority owner, Netherlands-based Petrotel Lukoil Europe Holdings Bvatrium, with money laundering and tax evasion. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romania-charges-local-lukoil-arm-with-money-laundering-tax-evasion-487021
SERBIA GETS EIGHT VALID BIDS FOR TELCO STAKE, SHORTLIST SEEN BY AUG 17
Eight valid bids have been submitted for the privatisation of incumbent telco Telekom Srbija, the country's telecommunications minister Rasim Ljajic said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-serbia-gets-eight-valid-bids-for-telco-stake-shortlist-seen-by-aug-17-488240
CEMEX SELLING CROATIAN OPERATIONS TO HEIDELBERGCEMENT UNIT
Cement producer Cemex signed an agreement to sell to Hungarian peer Duna-Drava Cement its operations in Croatia, including its assets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. According to the agreement, the assets, consisting of three cement plants, two aggregate quarries and seven ready-mix plants, will be sold for approximately 230.9 million euro ($256.97 million). http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-cemex-selling-croatian-operations-to-heidelbergcement-unit-488121
SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES TO INVEST 10 MLN EURO IN BULGARIA - ECON MIN
U.S.-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) company Sutherland Global Services plans to invest about 10 million euro ($11.15 million) in expanding its operations in Bulgaria in 2016, the economy ministry said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/sutherland-global-services-to-invest-10-mln-euro-in-bulgaria-econ-min-488507
CINVEN NOT INTERESTED IN CONCLUDING TALKS ON TELEKOM SLOVENIJE SALE - SDH
Slovenian state holding company SDH, which is coordinating the privatization process in the country, said it has been notified by UK private equity fund Cinven, the sole bidder for the purchase of a 72.75% stake in Telekom Slovenije, that it no longer wishes to continue negotiations for the conclusion of the sale process. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-3-cinven-not-interested-in-concluding-talks-on-telekom-slovenije-sale-sdh-487098
AES BULGARIA, NATIONAL ELECTRICITY COMPANY SIGN DEAL TO AMEND PPA
Bulgaria's National Electricity Company, NEK, and the local unit of U.S.-based AES, which operates a thermal power plant in the country, signed an agreement to amend their long-term Power Purchase Ageement (PPA). http://wire.seenews.com/news/aes-bulgaria-national-electricity-company-sign-deal-to-amend-ppa-490101
SERBIA'S HEMOFARM GETS ANTI-TRUST NOD TO TAKE OVER IVANCIC&SINOVI
Serbia's anti-trust regulator said it has cleared plans by local drug maker Hemofarm, a unit of Germany's Stada, to fully take over Belgrade-based peer Ivancic&Sinovi. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-serbias-hemofarm-gets-anti-trust-nod-to-take-over-ivancic-sinovi-487777
MACEDONIA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORDER REGIONS OVER REFUGEES
Macedonia's government declared a state of emergency in two regions at its southern and northern borders in an attempt to deal with a refugee crisis in the country. "The Macedonian government decided to declare the border regions of Gevgelija in the south and Kumanovo in the north as crisis regions, and announced that this opens way for the army to join in and help manage to unprecedented flow of refugees from the Middle East, pouring in from Greece," the government said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/macedonia-declares-state-of-emergency-in-border-regions-over-refugees-489304
TELEKOM SLOVENIJE INTO NEXT ROUND OF TELEKOM SRBIJA SALE
Telekom Slovenije [LJE:TLSG] handed in a non-binding offer for the privatization of Telekom Srbija and was invited to the second round of the bidding process. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-2-telekom-slovenije-into-next-round-of-telekom-srbija-sale-490276
VIBER TO OPEN CEE OFFICE IN BULGARIA
Mobile chat messaging voice and video service company Viber said it plans to open in Bulgaria a representation office for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as part of its plans to increase its client base in the region. http://wire.seenews.com/news/viber-to-open-cee-office-in-bulgaria-489616
ROMANIAN MPS AGREE TO WATER DOWN PLANNED TAX CUTS - RULING PARTY LEADER
he political parties represented in Romania's parliament agreed on a watered down version of massive tax cuts envisaged in a new fiscal code which the legislature is expected to endorse next week, Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the ruling PSD party, said. Under the new plan, Romania's 2016 budget deficit will be lower than 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), at around 1.7% of GDP, Dragnea told reporters. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romanian-mps-agree-to-water-down-planned-tax-cuts-ruling-party-leader-490264
SEPTEMBER
BULGARIAN C-BANK DECLINES TO APPROVE DOVERIE INDUSTRIALEN HOLDING ACQUISITION OF TOKUDA BANK
The Bulgarian central bank declined to give approval to Doverie Industrial Holding to acquire 99.53% of Sofia-registered Tokuda Bank. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarian-c-bank-declines-to-approve-doverie-industrial-holding-acquisition-of-tokuda-bank-491466
INTL BANKING GROUPS SAY CROATIA'S SWISS FRANC LOAN PLANS WOULD BREACH EU LAW
The plans of the Croatian government to convert Swiss franc-indexed loans into euro would be in breach of European law and bilateral investment treaties, a group of international banks, comprising Erste Group Bank, UniCredit, Sberbank, Raiffeisen Bank International and Hypo Group Alpe Adria said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-intl-banking-groups-say-croatias-swiss-franc-loan-plans-would-breach-eu-law-491366
SWAROVSKI OPENS PLANT IN SERBIA, TO EMPLOY 550 - GOVT
Austrian crystal jewellery producer Swarovski opened in the northern Serbian town of Subotica a new factory, which is expected to provide employment for 550 workers. http://wire.seenews.com/news/swarovski-opens-plant-in-serbia-to-employ-550-govt-491456
FIRST SHERATON HOTEL OPENS IN BUCHAREST
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. said it has entered the Romanian market with the opening of the Sheraton Bucharest Hotel. http://wire.seenews.com/news/first-sheraton-hotel-opens-in-bucharest-490741
IFC SAYS SEE RETAILERS SHOULD FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY, PRODUCT QUALITY AMID LOW-GROWTH ENVIRONMENT
Boosting operational efficiency and product quality should come into sharper focus for grocery retailers in Southeast Europe (SEE) on the backdrop of the lacklustre economic growth in the region, Tomasz Telma, the regional director for Europe and Central Asia of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-ifc-says-see-retailers-should-focus-on-efficiency-product-quality-amid-low-growth-environment-490921
EU TO RELOCATE FURTHER 7,900 REFUGEES TO FOUR EU-MEMBER STATES IN SEE
The European Commission said it plans to relocate more than 7,900 refugees from Italy, Greece and Hungary to Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia as part of a strategy to solve the refugee crisis in Europe. http://wire.seenews.com/news/eu-to-relocate-further-7-900-refugees-to-four-eu-member-states-in-see-table-492115
FESTO BULGARIA OPENS 9.8 MLN EURO PLANT, TO INVEST 12.8 MLN EURO IN NEXT 3 YEARS
The Bulgarian unit of German pneumatic and electrical automation company Festo opened a 19 million levs ($11 million/9.8 million euro) plant in Sofia. http://wire.seenews.com/news/festo-bulgaria-opens-9-8-mln-euro-plant-to-invest-12-8-mln-euro-in-next-3-years-492473
CRODUX PLIN, ALPIQ FORM PARTNERSHIP TO SELL ELECTRICITY IN CROATIA
Croatian privately-held gas trader Crodux Plin and Switzerland's Alpiq have formed a partnership to sell electricity on the Croatian market. http://wire.seenews.com/news/crodux-plin-alpiq-form-partnership-to-sell-electricity-in-croatia-493339
OCTOBER
SHELL TO EXPLORE FOR OIL, GAS IN BULGARIA'S OFFSHORE SILISTAR BLOCK
Dutch-based Shell Exploration and Production was chosen to explore for oil and gas in Bulgaria's 1-14 Silistar block in the Black Sea, the country's energy ministry said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-shell-to-explore-for-oil-gas-in-bulgarias-offshore-silistar-block-495026
SERBIA'S ERSTE BANK NOVI SAD SELLS 23.5 MLN EURO IN NPLS TO CZECH FUND APS
Serbia's Erste Bank Novi Sad said it has sold a portfolio of bad loans totalling 23.5 million euro ($26.4 million) to Czech fund APS. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbias-erste-bank-novi-sad-sells-23-5-mln-euro-in-npls-to-czech-fund-aps-494993
ROMANIAN GOVT SURVIVES NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE IN PARL
Romania's leftist government led by Victor Ponta, who is facing trial on charges of forgery, complicity in tax evasion and money laundering, survived a no-confidence vote in parliament. http://wire.seenews.com/news/romanian-govt-survives-no-confidence-vote-in-parl-495027
HEBEI IRON AND STEEL EYES INVESTMENTS IN SERBIA'S ZELEZARA SMEDEREVO - GOVT
Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vucic said that talks are underway with China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group on possible investments in ailing steel mill Zelezara Smederevo. http://wire.seenews.com/news/hebei-iron-and-steel-eyes-investments-in-serbias-zelezara-smederevo-govt-496631
CROATIA'S BANK RESOLUTION AGENCY TAKES OVER MANAGEMENT OF JADRANSKA BANKA
The Croatian State Agency for Deposit Insurance and Bank Resolution, DAB, said it has taken over the management of troubled lender Jadranska Banka [ZSE:JDBA-R-A] as part of an administration procedure. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-croatias-bank-resolution-agency-takes-over-management-of-jadranska-banka-496579
BULGARIA'S SMART ORGANIC FAILS TO OBTAIN REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR IPO PROSPECTUS
Bulgaria's financial regulator said it did not approve the prospectus for the planned initial public offering (IPO) of organic superfood bars producer Smart Organic. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarias-smart-organic-fails-to-obtain-regulatory-approval-for-ipo-prospectus-496008
REZIDOR IN TALKS FOR RADISSON BLU PROPERTY IN SKOPJE, EYES TIRANA, SARAJEVO
Belgian-based Rezidor Hotel Group is in talks with potential partners to open a Radisson Blu property in Skopje having recently announced it will enter the Slovenian market, the company’s vice president for business development said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-rezidor-in-talks-for-radisson-blu-property-in-skopje-eyes-tirana-sarajevo-496161
AUSTRIA’S CCP EYES REGIONAL CLEARING MANDATE
Austria’s CCP (CCP.A), responsible for clearing and risk management on all market segments of the Vienna Stock Exchange, is interested in a mandate as a regional central counterparty (CCP), the company’s managing directors said.http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-austria-s-ccp-eyes-regional-clearing-mandate-496405
LUFTHANSA GROUP SEE PASSENGER GROWTH SEEN AT UP TO 5% IN 2016
Lufthansa Group expects to post passenger growth of between 3% and 5% in Southeast Europe (SEE) in 2016 on the back of continuing positive market trends, the company’s vice president for Europe said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-lufthansa-group-see-passenger-growth-seen-at-up-to-5-in-2016-496440
SERBIA'S EPS STARTS 70 MLN EURO UPGRADE OF HPP ZVORNIK
Serbian state-owned energy utility EPS said it has started upgrade works at its 96 MW hydro power plant (HPP) Zvornik worth 70 million euro ($79.6 million) that will extend its life span by 40 years. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbias-eps-starts-70-mln-euro-upgrade-of-hpp-zvornik-496898
RP GLOBAL TRIALLING WPP RUDINE IN CROATIA, COMMISSIONING SEEN BY END-NOV
Austrian privately-held power producer RP Global Group said it has deployed all 12 turbines making up its 34.2 MW Rudine wind park near the Adriatic town of Dubrovnik, and is starting the official test run of the facility. http://wire.seenews.com/news/rp-global-trialling-wpp-rudine-in-croatia-commissioning-seen-by-end-nov-497591
SLOVENIA'S PIPISTREL TO SUPPLY 194 LIGHT AIRCRAFT TO INDIAN ARMY
Slovenian light aircraft maker Pipistrel said it has won a tender to supply 194 aircraft to the Indian armed forces. http://wire.seenews.com/news/slovenias-pipistrel-to-supply-194-light-aircraft-to-indian-army-496829
HEINEKEN LENDS 141.5 MLN EURO TO SLOVENIA'S PIVOVARNA LASKO TO REPAY DEBTS
Slovenian beverage group Pivovarna Lasko said on Thursday it has received a long-term loan in the amount of 141.5 million euro ($161.4 million) from its new majority shareholder, Dutch brewer Heineken International. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-heineken-lends-141-5-mln-euro-to-slovenias-pivovarna-lasko-to-repay-debts-497558
BULGARIAN SOFTWARE CO SIRMA GROUP RAISES 5.9 MLN EURO IN IPO
Bulgarian software developer Sirma Group successfully closed its initial public offering (IPO) on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, raising 11.5 million levs ($6.7 million/5.9 million euro). http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarian-software-co-sirma-group-raises-5-9-mln-euro-in-ipo-497650
EX YUGOSLAVIA-FOCUSED DON DON ACQUIRES PEKARNA GROSUPLJE - EBRD
Regional baked goods company Don Don Group has taken over Slovenian baker Pekarna Grosuplje, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said. The EBRD supported the acquisition with a 10 million euro ($11.3 million) loan as part of a financial package for a total amount of 60 million euro. http://wire.seenews.com/news/ex-yugoslavia-focused-don-don-acquires-pekarna-grosuplje-ebrd-498462
DELTA HOLDING, IHG SIGN MANAGEMENT DEAL FOR INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL IN LJUBLJANA
Serbian diversified conglomerate Delta Holding signed a management agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group for an InterContinental Hotel property in Ljubljana. The construction of the hotel in the Slovenian capital is planned to begin by the end of the year, with Delta Holding set to invest 42 million euro ($47.8 million) in the project. http://wire.seenews.com/news/delta-holding-ihg-sign-management-deal-for-intercontinental-hotel-in-ljubljana-498313
CROATIA'S AGROKOR SIGNS 200 MLN EURO SYNDICATED LOAN DEAL
Croatian privately-held concern Agrokor has signed a 200 million euro ($226.7 million) loan deal with a syndicate of banks, Agrokor's meat producing unit, PIK Vinkovci. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-agrokor-signs-200-mln-euro-syndicated-loan-deal-497939
BULGARIA'S BULGARTRANSGAZ STARTS 10.6 MLN EURO EXPANSION OF CHIREN GAS STORAGE
Bulgarian state-owned gas transmission company Bulgartransgaz launched a project worth 20.8 million levs (12.1 million /10.6 million euro) for the expansion and upgrade of the Chiren gas storage. The project will increase daily withdrawal from the Chiren gas storage to over 10 milllion cu m from 4.2 million cu m. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarias-bulgartransgaz-starts-10-6-mln-euro-expansion-of-chiren-gas-storage-498181
BOSNIAN ENTITY GOVT OKS STRATEGIC PACT WITH DONGFANG ON 350 MW TPP PROJECT
The government of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation gave its consent to a strategic cooperation agreement between China's Dongfang Electric Corporation and state-controlled brown coal mine operator RMU Banovici for the construction of a 350 MW thermal power plant. http://wire.seenews.com/news/bosnian-entity-govt-oks-strategic-pact-with-dongfang-on-350-mw-tpp-project-498505
DEVELOPER OF TAP GAS PIPELINE TO START ONSHORE ACTIVITIES IN ALBANIA IN 2016
All onshore activities related to the section of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) that passes through Albania should commence in parallel next year while the offshore scope is seen taking place in the winter of 2017-2018, Ian Bradshaw, the managing director of the project company, TAP AG, said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-developer-of-tap-gas-pipeline-to-start-onshore-activities-in-albania-in-2016-498290
CROATIAN GOVT ACCEPTS AVENUE GROUP BID FOR KUPARI I TOURISM PROJECT
The Croatian government accepted at a sitting on Thursday the sole binding bid for the Kupari I tourist resort development project filed by a consortium led by Avenue Ulaganja. http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatian-govt-accepts-avenue-group-bid-for-kupari-i-tourism-project
MOLDOVA'S PRO-EU COALITION GOVT FALLS IN NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE
Moldova's pro-EU three-party coalition cabinet led by Valeriu Strelet lost a no-confidence vote requested by the opposition parties. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-moldovas-pro-eu-coalition-govt-falls-in-no-confidence-vote-499443
TURNOUT IN BULGARIA'S E-VOTING REFERENDUM FALLS SHORT, 72% VOTE "YES"
The majority of Bulgarians backed in a referendum on Sunday a proposal for the introduction of electronic voting in elections but voter turnout was below the threshold for the outcome to be recognised as binding. Sunday's referendum was conducted alongside local elections, which the centre-right GERB party won convincingly. http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-turnout-in-bulgarias-e-voting-referendum-falls-short-72-vote-yes-prelim-data-498857
SRBIJAGAS, GAZPROM MOU PAVES WAY FOR UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE EXPANSION
Serbian state-owned gas monopoly Srbijagas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia's Gazprom that would make it possible to explore the opportunities to raise the capacity of the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage.http://wire.seenews.com/news/srbijagas-gazprom-mou-paves-way-for-underground-gas-storage-expansion-499278
POSTSCRIPTUM EYES SHIFT TO DISTRICT HEATING FROM WIND POWER IN SERBIA
Venture capital group PostScriptum Ventures plans to abandon its wind energy push in Serbia and focus instead on developing a district heating project there, the company’s chairman Mark Crandall said. PostScriptum Ventures had to exit its wind power business in Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria as the respective governments cut their feed-in tariffs to an extent that made those ventures unprofitable, the official said. http://wire.seenews.com/news/interview-postscriptum-eyes-shift-to-district-heating-from-wind-power-in-serbia-499385
NOVEMBER
ROMANIA'S PRESIDENT NOMINATES FORMER EU COMMISSIONER CIOLOS AS PM-DESIGNATE
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis nominated former European agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos as prime minister designate to replace Victor Ponta who stepped down under public pressure in the beginning of the month. http://bit.ly/1M3ZkBl
CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION WINS PARL VOTE IN CROATIA
A coalition led by the conservative HDZ won Croatia's parliamentary elections with the alliance around the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) coming in second. http://wire.seenews.com/news/conservative-opposition-wins-parl-vote-in-croatia-report-500711
AIR SERBIA TO LAUNCH NON-STOP SERVICE TO NEW YORK JFK IN JUNE 2016
National flag carrier Air Serbia said on Monday it plans to launch non-stop flights from Belgrade to New York JFK in June 2016, helping raise further the profile of the Serbian capital as a regional hub while reconnecting it with a large expat community. Read more at: http://bit.ly/1OItXjK
TELEKOM SLOVENIJE, APOLLO FILE JOINT BINDING BID FOR SERBIAN TELCO
Slovenia's leading telecoms provider Telekom Slovenije [LJE:TLSG] has filed with US investment fund Apollo a joint binding bid for incumbent telco Telekom Srbija, Ljubljana-based state-run news agency STA reported on Thursday, quoting an unnamed, well-placed source. http://bit.ly/1Mpl2xK
VTB CAPITAL SELLS BULGARIAN TELCO BTC FOR 330 MLN EURO
Russia's VTB Capital, the investment arm of VTB Bank, said it has successfully completed an auction for Bulgarian telecommunications group BTC achieving a price of 330 million euro ($180 million). The bank did not name the winner of the auction. Earlier in the day Bulgarian media reported without quoting sources that the buyer is local businessman Spas Rousev.http://wire.seenews.com/news/update-1-vtb-capital-says-sells-bulgarian-telco-btc-for-330-mln-euro-502502
SLOVENIA SELLS ADRIA AIRWAYS TEHNIKA TO POLAND'S LINETECH HOLDING
Slovenian state holding company SDH, which is coordinating the privatization process in the country, said it has signed along with airport operator Aerodrom Ljubljana [LJE:AELG] a deal with Poland's Linetech Holding for the sale of 100% of aircraft maintenance firm Adria Airways Tehnika.http://wire.seenews.com/news/slovenia-sells-adria-airways-tehnika-to-polands-linetech-holding-502901
DECEMBER
MONTENEGRO GETS INVITE TO BECOME NATO MEMBER
NATO invited Montenegro to start accession talks to become the 29th member of the Alliance. http://wire.seenews.com/news/montenegro-gets-invite-to-become-29th-member-of-nato-50399
CROATIA'S INA SIGNS $300 MLN REVOLVING LOAN FACILITY
Croatian oil and gas company INA [ZSE:INA-R-A] signed a $300 million (283.2 million euro) long-term multi-currency revolving credit facility agreement.http://wire.seenews.com/news/croatias-ina-signs-300-mln-revolving-loan-facility-deal-504040
ATTERBURY EUROPE, MPC PROPERTIES IN JOINT REAL ESTATE PUSH IN BALKANS
Atterbury Europe, a joint venture company formed by Atterbury Group and foreign investors, said it has launched its inaugural investment in the Serbian retail property market by joining forces with one of Serbia’s largest real estate development companies, MPC Properties. Atterbury Europe jointly with Attacq Limited has acquired a one-third stake in a 259 million euro ($274.1 million) gross asset value portfolio of seven Serbian shopping centres with MPC Properties – including the country’s largest mall, Usce Shopping Centre, in its capital Belgrade, the company said.http://wire.seenews.com/news/atterbury-europe-mpc-properties-in-joint-real-estate-push-in-balkans-504076
SERBIA ABANDONS TELCO SALE AFTER BIDS DISAPPOINT
The Serbian government decided to retain control of Telekom Srbija after all offers from potential investors for the privatisation of the incumbent telco were deemed unsatisfactory. Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vucic said the decision was made unanimously and that the company will be reorganised in order to be competitive on the market. The best-ranked offer in the sale process for Telekom Srbija was filed by a U.S.-based investment fund, Vucic said, giving no names. http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbia-abandons-telco-sale-after-bids-disappoint-505412
SERBIA ACCEPTS LION RETAIL HOLDING BID FOR C MARKET STAKE
Serbia's Privatisation Agency accepted the offer of Lion Retail Holding for a 16.26% stake in local retailer C Market. The Luxembourg-based company has bid 11.8 million euro ($12.8 million) for the stake in C Market offered for sale in October, the Privatisation Agency said.http://wire.seenews.com/news/serbia-accepts-lion-retail-holding-bid-for-c-market-stake-504558
RAIFFEISEN BANK INTL SELLS SLOVENIAN UNIT TO BISER BIDCO
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) reached an agreement to sell for an undisclosed price its Slovenian unit to Biser Bidco, managed by an affiliate of US-based private equity fund Apollo Global Management.http://wire.seenews.com/news/raiffeisen-bank-intl-sells-slovenian-unit-to-biser-bidco-505061
BULGARIAN ENERGY HOLDING, IGI POSEIDON SIGN FID ON BULGARIA-GREECE GAS LINK
The state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and IGI Poseidon, a joint venture between the Public Gas Corporation of Greece, DEPA, and Italy's Edison, signed a final investment decision (FID) on the construction of a gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria. By signing the FID, the shareholders in the ICGB joint venture company undertake to provide the capital needed to complete the construction of the IGB Pipeline - Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria. The IGB Pipeline, which will be 182 km long, is estimated to cost 220 million euro ($239 million). http://wire.seenews.com/news/bulgarian-energy-holding-igi-poseidon-sign-fid-on-bulgaria-greece-gas-link-505114
HIGH-TECH PARK OPENS IN BULGARIAN CAPITAL
Sofia Tech Park, a state-owned high technology park, opened officially in the Bulgarian capital. The project is almost entirely financed by the EU with a grant of 83.5 million levs ($42.8 million/46.9 million euro). http://wire.seenews.com/news/high-tech-park-opens-in-bulgarian-capital-505261
CHINA ENERGY COMPANY OFFERS TO ACQUIRE PART OF KMG EUROPEAN ASSETS
China Energy Company Limited, CEFC, has filed a takeover proposal for a stake in KMG International (KMGI) as part of a deal for strategic partnership it signed with KMGI's sole owner KazMunayGas Kazakhstan. KMGI owns filling stations chain Rompetrol and operates two refineries – Petromidia Navodari and Vega Ploiesti - in Romania. It also owns filling stations in Moldova and Bulgaria and France via Dyneff company. http://wire.seenews.com/news/china-energy-company-offers-to-acquire-part-of-kmg-european-assets-505720
CARREFOUR SIGNS AGREEMENT TO BUY BILLA SUPERMARKETS IN ROMANIAs in Romania
France's Carrefour signed an agreement to acquire the Billa supermarket chain in Romania from Germany's Rewe, becoming the market leader in the country.The price of the deal was not disclosed but local media estimate it at 100 million euro ($108 million). http://wire.seenews.com/news/carrefour-signs-agreement-to-buy-billa-supermarkets-in-romania-506454
MOLDOVA'S PRESIDENT NOMINATES BUSINESSMAN STURZA AS PM
Moldovan president Nicolae Timofti nominated businessman Ion Sturza as prime minister. Moldova remained without a government at the end of October, when the cabinet led by PLDM vice-president Valeriu Strelet collapsed after losing a no-confidence motion. The motion was filed by 42 MPs of the Socialists of the Moldovan Republic Party, PSRM, and the Communist Party, PCRM, who accused Strelet of abuse of power and corruption.
http://wire.seenews.com/news/moldovas-president-nominates-businessman-ion-sturza-as-pm-report-506383
EUROINS INSURANCE GROUP HIKES CAPITAL BY 82 MLN EURO, WRAPS UP HDI BULGARIA DEAL
Bulgaria-based Euroins Insurance Group raised its capital by 82.14 million euro ($90.1 million) in line with a decision of its shareholders for a capital increase of 100 million euro through a new share issue aimed to support its subsidiaries and finance its expansion. Euroins Insurance Group also said that following the capital increase, it transferred funds to increase the capital of its subsidiary in Romania, in compliance with a decision of the general shareholder meeting on October 8. Euroins Insurance Group also said it has finalised a deal to acquire a 94% stake in non-life insurance company HDI Bulgaria from Germany's Talanx International.http://wire.seenews.com/news/euroins-insurance-group-hikes-capital-by-82-mln-euro-wraps-up-hdi-bulgaria-deal-507205