Linked2Balkan news, the 13th of January 2011 edition

Donation of land for the business zone South in Novska

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor signed a contract with Novska Mayor Antun Vidakovic on Wednesday on the donation of land for the business zone South in Novska, and then visited the plant of the Trokut furniture manufacturer. The donated land covers 35 hectares and is estimated to be worth more than HRK 21 million.

Bulgaria’s December Inflation Rate Falls to 4.5%

Bulgaria’s inflation rate fell in December for the first time in 16 months, led by a decline in food prices in the European Union’s poorest country. The annual rate dropped to 4.5 percent from 4.6 percent in November, the National Statistics Institute in Sofia said today in a statement on its website.

Romania threatens to leave Francophony organisation

Angered by the attitude of France, its traditional ally, towards its bid to join Schengen, Romania is considering leaving the OIF, the International Francophony Organisation, a leading Romanian MEP told EurActiv yesterday.

European semester: a new architecture for the new EU Economic governance

The economic crisis has revealed a clear need for stronger economic governance and coordination at EU level. Until now, discussions between the EU and Member States on economic priorities and structural reforms were taking place through different processes.

New tool delivers novel diagnostic markers

New techniques developed by EU-funded scientists could help researchers quickly analyse medical databases to identify diagnostic markers and design tailor-made medication for allergy sufferers. Scientists led by the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden say these novel methods also could cut the numbers of animals used in clinical trials.

Industrial production up by 1.2% in euro area Up by 1.4% in EU27

In November 2010 compared with October 2010, seasonally adjusted industrial production rose by 1.2% in the euro area (EA16) and by 1.4% in the EU272. In October3 production grew by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively. In November 2010 compared with November 2009, industrial production increased by 7.4% in the euro area and by 7.8% in the EU27.

EBRD signs loan for rehabilitation of power plant in Slovenia

The EBRD is helping to improve the security of energy supply in Slovenia with a €200 million loan to the Slovenian state-owned thermal power plant, Termoelektrarna Šoštanj, signed today, to co-finance its modernisation programme. A fully-owned subsidiary of Holding Slovenske Elektrarne d.o.o., Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is the biggest producer and wholesaler of electricity in Slovenia.

World Bank says most developing countries have recovered from crisis, projects steady global growth

The world economy is moving from a post-crisis bounce-back phase of the recovery to slower but still solid growth this year and next, with developing countries contributing almost half of global growth, says the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects 2011. The World Bank estimates that global GDP[1], which expanded by 3.9% in 2010, will slow to 3.3% in 2011, before it reaches 3.6% in 2012.