http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/ The Baltic Course - International Internet Magazine. Analysis and background information on Baltic markets. eng Fri, 16 May 2008 08:39:40 +0300 Baltic Course, The baltic-course@baltic-course.com 100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1644 Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has urged handling of oil products from Baltic Sea ports to ports in Russia in the nearest future. 15/05/2008 1210863600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1652 Young doctors are dissatisfied with the quality of education they receive and the organization of their internships, said chairman of the board at Latvian Young Doctors' Association, Maris Mezeckis. 15/05/2008 1210863600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1647 Industrial production output in Latvia fell 4.5% in March compared to March 2007, which was the fourth steepest fall in the European Union, according to the latest data from the EU statistical bureau Eurostat. 15/05/2008 1210861800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1651 Profits of Latvia's commercial banks in the first four months of this year, have amounted to LVL 118.2 million, according to the Bank of Latvia's (LB) provisional data. 15/05/2008 1210860900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1645 Preparing for the upcoming European Union-Russia Summit in June, a joint resolution of all the political groups of the European Parliament is being prepared, which includes several proposals by European Parliament Deputy Girts Valdis Kristovskis. 15/05/2008 1210860000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1646 Nearly a third of adults in Estonia estimate that HIV is not such a serious problem in Estonia that it could concern them or their close ones and would require using precautions. 15/05/2008 1210858200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1635 According to Statistics Estonia, in the first three months of 2008 417,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments of Estonia, which are 5% tourists more than in the same period of the previous year. 15/05/2008 1210853700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1634 The value of agricultural and food product exports in January – March 2008 reached 165.7 mln lats (at current prices) compared to 112.0 mln lats in the corresponding period of previous year, according to the Central Statistical Bureau. Of which the value of exports of food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and tobacco products was 80.5 mln lats (67.3 mln lats in January – March 2007). 15/05/2008 1210852800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1636 Estonia fell to 23rd place in the international competitiveness ranking. Japan and Malaysia that ranked 22nd and 19th respectively passed Estonia in the list. Iceland was not included in the list. 15/05/2008 1210852800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1625 Based on provisional data released by Statistics Lithuania, in I quarter 2008, 878 new residential buildings were constructed in Lithuania. In residential buildings, 3200 dwellings were equipped, i.e. by 40% more than in I quarter 2007. Their useful floor area made up 288 thousand m2, i.e. by 63.2 thousand m2 (28%) more than in I quarter 2007. 15/05/2008 1210847400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1621 1,541,300 tons of cargo have been handled at Liepaja Port in the first three months of this year, which is by 14.5% more than in the respective period of time last year, as reported the administration of Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ). 15/05/2008 1210845600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1615 The registered unemployment level in Latvia at the end of April was 4.8%, informed the State Employment Agency. 15/05/2008 1210843800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1617 President Valdas Adamkus, during his meeting with Boris Tsepov, finishing his cadency as Russian ambassador, said that relationships between Russia and Lithuania could be evaluated positively, but problematic questions are also not avoided. 15/05/2008 1210843800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1613 On May 14, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus signed a law on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the President’s press service announced. 15/05/2008 1210841400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1611 The total fuel consumption in Latvia in the first three months of the year 2008 was 313,830 tons, which is 9,510 tons or 3% more than in the respective period of time last year, according to the State Revenue Service's data on the turnover of excise goods. 15/05/2008 1210841100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=1612 The official dealer of Peugeot cars in Latvia, Lauva auto is close to bankruptcy, es was reported yesterday. 15/05/2008 1210841100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1610 In March 2008 compared with February 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial production1 fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.1% in the EU27. In March 2008 compared with March 2007, industrial production rose by 2.0% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, reported. 15/05/2008 1210840200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1609 IMF announced that with its expected deceleration of growth, Estonian economy is not moving towards any crises, writes Äripäev Online, citing Bloomberg. 15/05/2008 1210839300 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1606 During Wednesday meeting between representatives of active commercial banks and branches of foreign banks as well as the heads of the Association of Lithuanian Banks and board members of the Bank of Lithuania discussed important banking issues, development perspectives, challenges and possible economy shake-ups that are necessary to prepare for. 15/05/2008 1210837500 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1604 In April 2008, as a result of transactions, external assets of the Bank of Lithuania increased by LTL 658.5 million up to LTL 16.1 billion at the end of the month, while external liabilities went up by LTL 84.8 million to LTL 232.0 million, the Bank announced. 15/05/2008 1210836600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1603 In the first three months of the year 2008, alcohol consumption in Latvia, excluding data for beer consumption, has increased 6%. 15/05/2008 1210834800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1605 In April 2008, the Lithuanian air company flyLAL carried 21,841 passengers in Vilnius Airport in April – by 69% more than in the same period a year ago. 14/05/2008 1210779000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1600 In the first three months of the year 2008, the leaders of the oil products retail market in Latvia were Latvija Statoil, Neste Latvija, and Lukoil Baltija R, according to State Revenue Service's data on the turnover of excise goods. 14/05/2008 1210766400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1599 The Latvian mobile telecommunications operator Latvijas Mobilais telefons Ltd. (LMT) achieved record profit in 2007 – LVL 63.4 million, as informed LMT's press secretary Elina Lidere. 14/05/2008 1210765500 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1594 According to Statistics Estonia, by flash estimations gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 0.4% in Estonia in the 1st quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in the previous year. 14/05/2008 1210763100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1593 According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2008, the unemployment rate was 4.2%. Among women the unemployment was bigger than a year ago. 14/05/2008 1210762800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1592 Snaige, the only producer of refrigerators in the Baltic states, which has subsidiaries in Alytus and Kaliningrad, plans to raise its authorized capital and revise its statute. This decision of the board of directors of Snaige will have to be approved on June 16 at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. 14/05/2008 1210761900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=1587 The Irish low-fare airline Ryanair has made a decision to halt flights on the Riga-Shannon route, starting May 25, es was reported today. 14/05/2008 1210759800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=1586 The biggest Norwegian life and pension insurance company Vital, owned by the financial group DnB Nord got into Lithuanian market and in five years time intends to strengthen its positions, and to become one of the leading life insurance companies in the country in less than in ten years. 14/05/2008 1210759200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=1581 The opening ceremony of this new terminal was held on Tuesday. And now Kaunas airport plans to serve 440,000 passengers this year. Over 80% of them will use the new terminal. 14/05/2008 1210757100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=1579 Prime Minister of Lithuania Gediminas Kirkilas started his official visit to Kazakhstan from the meeting with President Nursultan Nazarbajev. During the meeting it was agreed on the strengthening of the bilateral economic relationships between Lithuanian and Kazakhstan. 14/05/2008 1210755600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=1580 Lithuanian artist Jonas Mekas presents his work in the Experiment Marathon Reykjavik which will be held as part of the Reykjavik Arts Festival. 14/05/2008 1210755600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1578 EU Eurostat Statistics reports that in 2005 social protection expenditure in European Union accounted for 27.2 % of GDP. Lithuania allocated to social protection less than 15 % of GDP. This is one of the lowest indicators in EU. 14/05/2008 1210754700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1573 The government of Latvia approved today amendments to the law on maternity and sickness insurance, which envisage cutting the number of sick leave days paid for by employers from 14 to 10 days. 14/05/2008 1210753800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=1572 The Latvian Embassy in Germany has received several letters of gratitude from passengers of the recently-stranded cruise ship in Latvian waters – the Mona Lisa. 14/05/2008 1210752900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1571 On May 12, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekunas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, currently holding the EU Presidency, Dmitrij Rupel, ministers of foreign affairs of Latvia, Poland and Sweden Maris Riekstins, Radoslaw Sikorski and Carl Bildt paid a visit to Georgia. 14/05/2008 1210752300 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1570 The joint-stock flour producer Dobeles dzirnavnieks could merge with Estonia's biggest flour producer Tartu Veski, according to the newspaper Dienas Bizness(Db). 14/05/2008 1210752000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1568 April 16 to May 13, 140,297 Latvian citizens have signed for amending the Pension Law, according to preliminary data compiled by the Central Election Commission. 14/05/2008 1210750200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1569 In the first four months of the year 2008, the Latvian national airline airBaltic transported a total of 648,120 passengers, which is 32% more than during the first four months of 2007, as informed the airline. 13/05/2008 1210694400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=1564 From May 6, 2008 till September 19, 2008 the state duma of Riga (Rogas dime) within the Riga Forum 2008 organises youth competition “City and design 2008”. Main competition goal is to increase the interest of young people, students and pupils in developing design ideas that are conceptually contemporary and relevant to city environment for improving Riga public outdoor space. 13/05/2008 1210690800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1566 14% of Lithuanian citizens think that one of the most serious forms of discrimination on Lithuanian labor market is racial discrimination. As the results of the survey conducted by TNS Gallup public opinion and market research company show, in general, 57% of Lithuanians hold age discrimination to be the most important means of discrimination on the labor market, 40% think it is discrimination on ground of disability, 32% – gender discrimination. 13/05/2008 1210690800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=1562 The former Corruption Prevention Bureau's Head of the Investigation Department Ilmars Bode, who is charged with divulging secret information, has been elected assistant to Adrians Davis, chairman of the board at the joint-stock natural gas company Latvijas gaze (Latvian Gas). 13/05/2008 1210678800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1554 President Valdas Adamkus and First Lady Alma Adamkiene of Lithuania hosted an official dinner in the honour of President Yushchenko and First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko of Ukraine on their official visit to Lithuania on Monday. 13/05/2008 1210674000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1553 According to data provided by the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance, in April the state budget received LTL 1,548.5 million, while the projected amount was LTL 1,491.4 million. 13/05/2008 1210673700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1551 The Baltic Sea region's strategy, that the European Commission is currently working on, should also include matters that are important to businessmen, as Latvian Employers' Confederation Director General Elina Egle said after a meeting of the Baltic employer organizations' yesterday. 13/05/2008 1210672800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=1552 Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine will promote the earlier transportation of cargo between ports of Baltic and Black Seas. 13/05/2008 1210672800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=1550 The competition in telecommunications market will become even more fierce, as telecommunications company's Lattelecom CEO and Chairman of the Board Juris Gulbis forecasts in an interview. 13/05/2008 1210671900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=1548 On Tuesday, the Baltic electricity transmission systems operators meet the heads of the Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity in Prague. Further actions of the synchronizing joining of the Baltic energy systems with UCTE will be discussed at this meeting. 13/05/2008 1210671000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=1547 The fuel produced by the Lithuanian oil processing company Mazeikiu Nafta owned by the Polish Concern PKN Orlen reached even the furthest countries. It is possible to find Lithuanian petrol even in New Zealand. 13/05/2008 1210669200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1545 The joint-stock Latvijas Krajbanka (Krajbanka) has acquired the subsidiary bank of Parex banka in Switzerland AP Anlage &privatbank AG, informed Krajbanka's public relations specialist Lauris Kupcs. 13/05/2008 1210662000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1535 The government has to adopt immediate measures in order to facilitate a "gradual warming up of the economy", President Valdis Zatlers believes. 12/05/2008 1210601100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1542 Carlsberg remained that the only major shareholder of the Saku Brewery on Friday will make an obligatory takeover bid to minority shareholders. 12/05/2008 1210600800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=1538 The experts of Police Department and Ministry of Interior already prepared the amendment and supplementary projects on changes in the police activity law and Interior Service statute. Vizgirdas Telycenas, Police Commissioner General, on Monday informed The Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas about this. 12/05/2008 1210599600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=1537 SEB bank is the first bank in Lithuania to accept new debit cards based on Visa Europe’s V PAY technology, as the bank announced. The new cards take full advantage of the latest chip and PIN technology, are cost-effective for banks to implement, efficient for merchants to accept, and secure for cardholders to use. 12/05/2008 1210599000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1536 Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko signed a joint declaration in Vilnius on Monday, to consolidate the strategic partnership between the two states and to announce Lithuania"s and Ukrainia"s positions on most important bilateral and regional issues. 12/05/2008 1210598100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1531 The turnover of company group Panevezio Keliai exceeded 1 billion litas in 2007. Lat year the company together with secondary and associated companies earned a consolidated sale income of 1.141 billion litas (328.8 million euros), an increase of 33 % compared to the previous year, when its revenues stood at 859.6 million litas (247.7 million euros). 12/05/2008 1210595400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1527 In April 2008, compared to April of 2007, consumption prices increased 17.5%, including 17.6% for goods and 17.3% for services, the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau announced today. 12/05/2008 1210593600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1528 Three Armament Control Inspection experts from Russia will conduct evaluation visit in Lithuanian Armed Forces Motorized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf May 12-14, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced. 12/05/2008 1210592700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1526 Statistics Lithuania informs that in April 2008 as compared with March prices of consumer goods and services grew by 1.2%. 12/05/2008 1210591800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=1525 A three-day conference of the investors and partners of East Capital fund started at the Reval Hotel Lietuva on Monday. 12/05/2008 1210590900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1524 Russian ambassador in Estonia was called out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday in order to express Estonia’s official protest and indignation over the case of Estonian flag being desecrated in Russia. 12/05/2008 1210590000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1520 Compared to February 2007, the total foreign trade turnover in current prices in March 2008 reached 1008.1 mln lats – less by 2.3 mln lats or 0.2% than a month before and more by 4.5 mln lats or 0.4% than in March last year, according to Central Statistical Bureau data. 12/05/2008 1210589400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1521 Compared to March 2008, the average consumer price level in April 2008 rose by 1.5%. Prices of goods increased by 1.9%, but prices of services – by 0.7%. 12/05/2008 1210589100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1518 According to the data presented by the Lithuanian Department of Statistics, in April 2008 monthly inflation (April 2008 compared to March 2008) calculated according to the harmonized consumer price index (HCPI) stood at 1.2%, annual inflation rocketed to 11.7% and average annual inflation reached 7.9%. 12/05/2008 1210586400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1517 Lithuania will no longer veto the mandate to start negotiations between the EU and Russia on the new cooperation agreement. This information was announced on late Sunday evening after the meeting held between Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Vilnius. 12/05/2008 1210585500 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1514 The Lithuanian commercial bank Ukio Bankas earned LTL 21.5 million in non-audited four-month net profit – the same as in January-April 2007, as the bank announced. 12/05/2008 1210583400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1513 The Latvian national news agency LETA turnover increased 20% in 2007, exceeding the LVL 2 million mark for the first time in the agency's history, according to LETA annual report approved at the company's shareholders meeting. 12/05/2008 1210582800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1512 The Lithuanian facility management company City Service Group plans to reach LTL 245 million (EUR 71 million) in consolidated turnover in 2008, as the company announced today. 12/05/2008 1210581900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1510 Slowdown of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the beginning of the year 2008 is due to the curbing of consumption, Economy Minister Kaspars Gerhards (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK) expressed his view in an interview on the Latvijas Neatkariga televizija television's program "900 sekundes" this morning. 12/05/2008 1210580100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1507 President Valdas Adamkus met with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski who arrived to Vilnius to discuss issues pertaining to EU"s mandate for talks with Russia on Sunday. 12/05/2008 1210575600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1504 Statistics Lithuania informs that based on non-final data from Customs’ declarations and Intrastat reports, exports over I quarter 2008 equalled LTL 12.6 billion in terms of commodity value, while imports totalled LTL 17.7 billion. Foreign trade deficit of Lithuania made LTL 5.1 billion and was by 27.7% higher that during the same period in 2007. Statistical data on trade with EU countries have been revised having obtained VAT declaration data. 11/05/2008 1210518000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1503 Statistics Lithuania informs that prices of the total industrial production sold in April 2008 as compared with March increased by 2.0%, of which for mining and quarrying – by 2.7, for manufacturing – by 2.1, and for electricity, gas and water supply – by 0.9%. Refined petroleum products excluded, prices of the total industrial production sold grew by 0.9%. 11/05/2008 1210503600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1501 Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins (People's Party) believes that it is possible to come to a compromise regarding the European Union-Russia partnership and cooperation mandate, informed the minister's press secretary Una Puspura. 10/05/2008 1210417200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1498 Statistics Lithuania informs that based on non-final data from Customs’ declarations and Intrastat reports, exports over Q1 2008 equalled LTL 12.6 billion in terms of commodity value, while imports totalled LTL 17.7 billion. 10/05/2008 1210412700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1494 Lithuania is likely to lift its veto on talks between the European Union (EU) and Russia on a strategic partnership by the end of this month, a Polish diplomat close to the matter said yesterday. 10/05/2008 1210409100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=1491 President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko is due to arrive on an official visit to Lithuania on Monday, May 12. He will be accompanied by his wife Kateryna Yushchenko, and six ministers of Ukraine. 10/05/2008 1210406400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1490 The fall in Latvia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in the first quarter of the year 2008 was to be expected, Finance Minister Atis Slakteris (People's Party) said. 10/05/2008 1210405500 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1489 Lithuanian carriers raise concerns on the survival — expenditures increase rapidly, various limitations and payments push the weakest companies into insolvency. 10/05/2008 1210404600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1488 The competition between two aviation companies (airBaltic and flyLAL-Lithuanian Airlines), carrying the biggest number of passengers, becomes more intense in Vilnius International Airport (VIA). 10/05/2008 1210402800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1483 Turnover of the joint-stock wood processing company Latvijas finieris (LF) of the year 2007 reached LVL 124.9, which is by 11% more than a year ago, when it was LVL 112.4 million, as informed the Head of LF council's bureau Jolanta Medne. 09/05/2008 1210338900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1480 In the current economic situation, the government must take measures promoting exports to strengthen Latvia's competitiveness on global markets, and further explain people the economic developments in the country, the Bank of Latvia believes. 09/05/2008 1210336200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1475 Latvia's gross domestic product increased 3.6% in the first quarter of the year, compared to the first three months of 2007, the Central Statistical Bureau said today. 09/05/2008 1210334400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1479 As previously informed, yesterday the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) ratified the Treaty of Lisbon. Lithuania is thirteenth of the 27 EU member states that has ratified the Treaty. On May 8 the treaty was also ratified by Latvia. 09/05/2008 1210332600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1478 In the first quarter of 2008 the construction enterprise Eesti Ehitus earned net profits of 44.9 million kroons. 09/05/2008 1210331700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=1474 The international business and financial markets magazine Global Finance has awarded the Lithuanian commercial bank SEB Bankas with the title of the "Best Bank in Lithuania 2008". In the Central and Eastern European review on the best banks in growing markets, SEB Bankas has been named the leader of the Lithuanian banking sector for the tenth consecutive year. 09/05/2008 1210329000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1473 According to preliminary data, consolidated profits of the company MG Baltic and its subsidiaries from typical activities stood at 103 million litas (29.85 million euros) in year 2007, an increase of 16.3% compared to 2006. 09/05/2008 1210328100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1472 The consolidated sales revenue of the media group Ekspress Grupp amounted to 321.3 million kroons, growing 29% in a year. 09/05/2008 1210327200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1470 Rimi Baltic Group, one of the largest chain stores in the Baltic states, posted EUR 408.6 million in sales in January-April 2008 (value-added tax excluded), or 15% more than in the respective period of 2007. 09/05/2008 1210326300 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=1469 It is crucial to adopt the final decision on privatization of the telecommunication company Lattelecom and its further development course, as the newly elected Lattelecom CEO and chairman of the board Juris Gulbis told the newspaper Dienas Bizness. 09/05/2008 1210325400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1466 The Tourist Board of Enterprise Estonia, in cooperation with Helsinki City and Helsinki Culture Centre, is organising an event entitled “Viro tule kylään“ (Estonia is coming on a visit) in Helsinki city centre on Narinkkatori Square on 9-10 May. 09/05/2008 1210321800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=1460 Russia's bank SMP Bank has acquired a controlling stake in Latvia's joint-stock Multibanka, as the newspaper Biznes & Baltija(B&B) reports today. 09/05/2008 1210318200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1462 In the end of April 2008, there were 97,500 jobseekers in Lithuania, 4.6% of the entire working age population. This index stood at 4.7% in March 2008. 09/05/2008 1210317300 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=1459 The rescue operation of the stranded cruise ship Mona Lisa, which ran aground on a sandbank on Latvian shores this past Sunday, has cost LVL 135,000, according to calculations made by the Interior Ministry. 09/05/2008 1210316400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1461 In April 2008, Lithuania"s official foreign exchange reserve advanced 691.1 million litas (201.22 million euros) or 3.8% and stood at 16.3 billion litas (4.7 billion euros/ 7.3 billion US dollars) at the end of last month, the Bank of Lithuania reported. 09/05/2008 1210316400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=1455 Management of the oil and gas company Vitol Group (Vitol), the largest shareholder of the joint-stock company Ventspils nafta (Ventspils Oil, VN) today, in a meeting with Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way), promised new investments in Latvia, emphasizing that at the same time it expects government's support in protecting them. 08/05/2008 1210257000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1448 The Latvian und Lithuanian Saeimas today, in its final reading, ratified the Lisbon Treaty. For the Lisbon Treaty to come into effect, it must be ratified in all European Union member states in accordance with their national procedures. The treaty is expected to come into force on January 1, 2009. 08/05/2008 1210253400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1424 The European Union is in full swing to prepare common regulations for doing business in “common Europe” with the main aim of creating a set of principles and objectives to improve business conditions for European companies. Since last December when the European Council adopted the initiatives for “Small Business Act”, the Commission promised to finalize the proposal this June. The difficulties behind common rules for doing business in Europe are numerous and as great as the number of the EU member states. However, some common features do exist and they are shown in this article with a particular attention for the Baltic Sea region. The time has come to assess both pros and cons for business integration in the EU. 08/05/2008 1210252800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1447 Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas hopes that neighboring countries will change their skeptical attitude towards Lithuania's decision to temporarily block negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Russia concerning a new cooperation treaty. 08/05/2008 1210252200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/eu_baltics/?doc=1451 Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas during his phone call to Donald Tusk, head of Polish Government, asked to support Lithuania in its stand to block the beginning of the negotiations on the new cooperation agreement between European Union and Russia. 08/05/2008 1210252200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=1444 The information of the Central Statistical Bureau on the purchase prices of significant export commodity – round timber, show that, compared to the same period of 2006, in the 2nd half of 2007 the purchase prices of pine and spruce sawlogs grew by 32% in each segment, but prices of deciduous sawlogs – on average by 44-62%. 08/05/2008 1210251600