European Commission loses patience with Czech metallurgy reform. The Czech Republic might not be able to close the chapter „business competition“. Europen Commission considers the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic acting as consecutively obstructing the discussion on metallurgy restucturing program.
Back to protectionism? The European union considers imposition of protective customs duties of up to 26% on above-limit steel imports. Customs should be in range of 14.9% to 26% and should be imposed on 40% of steel import. The action should protect EU’s markets from increased steel import due to new US steel customs. The United States classified the customs designed by EU as irresponsible and protectionist and considers a complain by WTO.
Total foreign debt of Slovakia reached preliminary 11.27 bln. USD at the end of last year. In comparison with 2000, the debt rose by 464.3 mil. USD. Thus, every Slovakian ows 2 095 USD to a foreigner. The share of governmental debt amounts 2.78 bln. USD.
February’s industrial prices rose by 0.1% in Germany, year-to-year fall deepened from -0.1% in January to -0.3% in February. In addition, the Statistical Office of Germany published preliminary information on CPI in March yesterday. Consumer prices probably rose 0.2% m/m and 1.8% y/y.
The Governor of Bundesbanka and member of ECB’s managerial board Ernst Welteke said yesterday, that interest rates in EMU could stabilise for a longer time if there would be no pressures on higher wages and oil prices.
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Radim Krejčí