Linked2Balkan news, the 19th of January 2011 edition

EC makes no decisions yet on Croatia´s shipyards

The European Commission has not yet made any decisions regarding the plans for the reconstruction of Croatian shipyards that have been submitted so far, EC officials said. “The European Commission will not reach any decisions or publish its opinion.”

Kosovo expects the renewal of preferential trade agreement with EU

The deadline for the preferential trade agreement set by the European Union for all Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, has expired on December 31 last year. Officials from the resigning Government expect these measures to continue until 2015.

Foreign investors interested in investing in Serbia

Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic said in Vienna today that there is a great interest from foreign investors in investing in infrastructure and environmental protection in Serbia. Dulic, who is attending the Euromoney economic forum said that he presented to potential investors the opportunities for investment in road and railway infrastructure along Corridor 10.

Industrial Zones Occupancy in Sofia Up by 40% in 2010 Y/Y

The increase is explained by the Forton experts as a result from the slightly improved economic situation and the higher consumption at the end of the year. The signed contracts for rent of industrial areas in the new logistics centers in Sofia

Greece not discussing debt restructuring – deputy finmin

Greek government officials on Wednesday dismissed a German newspaper report that said a restructuring of Greek debt was being considered by Berlin. “There is no discussion on the issue of restructuring,” Deputy Finance Minister Philippos Sachinidis told Reuters.

Truckers keep on trucking with fresh learning experience, the EU way

Technology continues to take the world by storm, bringing many changes to industry. A case in point is the trucking industry. Images of people behind huge steering wheels that drive for long periods of time with only coffee and a CB (citizens’ band) radio for company will be no more. EU-funded researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT) in Germany are offering logistics people and truckers a new learning experience.

Emerging economies attract greater share of foreign investment

Foreign direct investment (FDI) to developing and transition economies rose last year, while investment flows to developed countries declined, the United Nations agency tasked with promoting trade said in an update on global investment trends released today.

Construction output down by 0.9% in euro area Down by 0.4% in the EU27

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production1 fell by 0.9% in the euro area2 (EA16) and by 0.4% in the EU272 in November 2010, compared with the previous month. In October3, production increased by 0.3% and 0.6% respectively. Compared with November 2009, output in November 2010 dropped by 6.8% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27.