International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Saturday, 04.02.2012, 06:51
Lithuania registers EU's steepest annual increase in retail trade turnover in December
03.02.2012Retail trade turnover in Latvia in December 2011 increased by 7.1% from December 2010, which was the second largest increase across the European Union, according to the latest data from the EU's statistical office Eurostat. Lithuania registered the steepest annual increase in retail trade turnover in December – 13%; retail trade turnover in Estonia grew 6.1%.
Keyword tags: Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Good for Business, Markets and Companies, Retail
Gasoline price in Baltic States were not among lowest in EU at end-January
03.02.2012At the end of January 2012, the retail price for 95 octane gas in Latvia was EUR 1,367.47 per 1,000 liters, including taxes, which is the eight lowest price in the European Union, according to the European Commission's data on fuel prices across the EU.
EU fiscal compact ready to be signed
03.02.2012The new Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union was finalised by all EU member states with the exception of the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic on 2 February, 2012. It is expected to be signed by March 2012.
In Latvia 2011 budget deficit stood at 4% of GDP
03.02.2012The budget deficit in 2011 was at 4% of gross domestic product, if calculated pursuant to the European account system methodology, according to Latvian Finance Ministry's preliminary estimate.
For a small Estonia on the periphery with Russia, being a member of the European core is very valuable
03.02.2012A little more than a year ago, Estonia adopted the euro – at a time when the Greek crisis, and the Irish, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian crises, were exposing the common currency’s weaknesses. Today, Estonia's economy is the fastest-growing in the currency bloc, consumers and businesses are paying lower interest rates, and business ties with Finland – a euro member state and Estonia's main trading partner – are tighter than ever, the Bloomberg Businessweek reports.
Breast implants scandal to see tougher EU legislation on plastic surgery
The European commission aims to strengthen oversight of companies that certify medical devices following a breast implant scandal thought to have affected at least 400,000 women worldwide.
Commission: renewable energy sources should account for 20% of the bloc’s total energy demand
The European Commission (EC) is fond of saying how important wind is as a renewable energy source – but critics says its words are not matched by funding, the EU Observer informs.
EC requests explanations from Latvian justice minister regarding Palink insolvency case
European Commission officials have requested explanations from Latvian Justice Minister Gaidis Berzins (All For Latvia!-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) regarding Palink insolvency case.
Godmanis: talks on reduction of EU multi-annual budget under way
The talks on the reduction of the European Union's multi-annual budget for 2014-2020 started at the end of January 2012 and are currently in progress, European Parliament Member Ivars Godmanis pointed out during today's session of the Saeima European Affairs Committee.
airBaltic plans to carry 3.35 mln passengers in 2012
In 2012, the national airline airBaltic plans to service approximately the same number of passengers as in 2011 – 3.35 million, Martin Gauss, the airline's CEO, said in an interview with the business information portal Nozare.lv.
Kesko may build a major warehouse in Estonia
Finnish trade concern Kesko is considering the possibility of building a major warehouse in Estonia that would service in addition to Finland also the Baltic states and Russian markets, LETA/Postimees Online reports.
Latvia wants achieve 80% average level of EU direct payments
Latvia wants to achieve 80% of the average level of EU direct payments for its farmers, Agriculture Minister Laimdota Straujuma said in an interview with the LNT morning show "900 sekundes" today.
Tallink's passenger number falls by 3.5% in January
In January 2012, AS Tallink Grupp transported 644,658 passengers which is a 3.5% decrease compared to January 2011, the company told the Tallinn bourse.
Azubalis to take part in Munich Security Conference
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis is paying a visit to Germany to attend the 48th Munich Security Conference on 3-4 February and the 17th extraordinary session of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) to mark the 20th anniversary in Plon Castle, Germany on the following day, reported BC the MFA.
UniCredit will remain in the Baltics
Italy's UniCredit Bank that enjoys a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe but a limited exposure in the Baltics has been recently speculated to be a likely candidate to sell its regional business, balticbusinessnews.com reports.
The europact: outcomes for the Baltic States 
