Producer's prices in industry fell by 0.3%, month-on-month, in December. Thus, prices in industry rose by 0.8%, year-on-year, in December. The most significant changes were recorded in petroleum products (-7.0%) and chemical products (-1.3%). Prices of agriculture producers dropped by 0.4%, m-o-m, and rose by 1.8%, y-o-y. Prices of market services decreased by 0.4%, m-o-m., and increased by 1.7%, y-o-y.
Construction output grew by 2.5%, year-on-year, in November. After working days adjustment the rate of growth amounted to 1.2%. November figures confirmed a declining trend of output growth in construction sector.
The National Property Fund and RWE Gas, the winner of the tender for gas importer Transgas and stakes in regional gas distributors, will sign a contract for the sale on Jan 29. However, there is a risk of canceling the sale. The Office for the protection of competition has to approve the transaction. The chairman of this office, Josef Bednar said, that vertical connection (a simultaneous ownership of production and distribution of gas) can be problem.
Russian weekly Novaya Gazeta yesterday wrote that Falkon Capital, that recently bought Russian debt to the Czech Republic, is directly connected with the group around international terrorist Osama bin Laden. Josef Cimbora, president of Falkon Capital, denied these speculations.
Click here for the „Czech economic daily“ in .pdf format.