Exports to US fell by 11.5 pc since Oct: FICCI

30.04.2009 8:28 - BRATISLAVA

NEW DELHI: India's exports to the US, the single largest market for local exporters, dropped 11.5% during October'08 - February'09, as per a study by industry chamber FICCI.

The study also revealed that India has lagged behind other competing countries such as China, South Korea and Brazil, that export to the US.

This has come about even as US-bound exports from Ireland, Indonesia and Vietnam have grown in the range of 3-12% during the same five month period. Although exports from China, Korea and Brazil have also dropped, India fared the worst, as per FICCI.

But India outperformed Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia and Singapore for the period.

In the first two months of 2009, Indian exports to the US dropped 23%, much more than the fourth quarter of 2008, indicating a worsening situation. In the previous quarter (July-September 2008) exports actually grew 14%.

Fiat, Chrysler to complete deal - source

Fiat SpA and Chrysler LLC are prepared to complete a merger deal by Thursday that would be taken into bankruptcy court as a key element of the U.S. automaker's restructuring plan if needed, a person with direct knowledge of the preparations said.
Chrysler faces a government-imposed deadline of Thursday to wrap up concessions from its unions and a group of lenders that hold $6.9 billion of its secured debt.

The United Auto Workers union was voting on Wednesday on whether to ratify cost-cutting contract terms that would also cut in half the remaining cash portion of Chrysler's $10.6-billion obligation to a trust fund for retiree health care.
If some Chrysler lenders reject an offer from U.S. officials to take $2 billion in cash in exchange for debt, a Fiat-Chrysler deal would be part of the plan submitted to a bankruptcy judge, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the merger discussions.

Havránok opens its doors in May

Archeoskanzen Havránok, located on the same hill above Liptovská Mara dam and falling under the administration of Museum Ružomberok opens its doors at the beginning of May the public.

Celtic dwelling, where the 60-years 20th century under the direction of archaeologist Charles Pietų carried out archaeological research in 1967 was declared a National Monument and was made available to the public in 1991.
Reconstructed objects belonged Púchovská culture of the stone age. Along with Celtic dwellings are located medieval buildings. Wooden walls with a bridge, guard tower and the foundations of buildings from 15-th century. During the season are prepared programme events in period costumes.

The Controversial Northern Ireland

Despite the fact that Ireland and Northern Ireland is situated on one island, they are not join in one state. North of the country is still falls under the administration of English neighbors.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. When you step into it, sometimes you feel as if time stood here. From building breathes history from anywhere and everywhere you can feel Victorian impact. The heart of Belfast you find in Donegall Square. From here you get to the historic town hall or to Belfast Castle. At Great Victoria Street, you can refresh in the Crown Liquor Saloon. In this venture once found Johnnie McQueen a shelter, a known rebel in the IRA.
Londonderry- Derry is the next stop in the pilgrimage after inglorious history of the country. In the centre you can find the Cechova house, tha was built of local sandstone, Cathedral of St. Columbus Tower and Museum. For night life you can choose to Waterloo Street, which is kind of analogous to the Dublin Temple Bar.

Oil prices end the week on the down side

DENVER (AP) -- After months of cutting oil production it appeared this week that oil producing nations had finally captured some control in the crude markets, at least until the latest batch of economic news sent oil prices falling yet again.

Benchmark crude for April delivery fell 80 cents at 44.44 pound a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

That is an 11 percent increase from Monday's open, but many oil traders say there is little chance prices will hold in the current economic environment, which has led to an anemic demand for energy.

The Commerce Department said Friday that the U.S. economy contracted at a staggering 6.2 percent pace at the end of 2008, the worst showing in a quarter-century.
Oil prices had risen for two consecutive days on government reports showing that oil imports were falling.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries appears to have stuck to production cuts of 4.2 million barrels a day. Most believe cut of 1 million barrels will be announced during the next OPEC meeting on April 15.

The General Motors reduced production 190 thousand cars

24.04.2009 15:10 – DETROIT

On Thursday the American automobil factory General Morors Corp reported to reduce of production in next three months to reduce of supply of private cars and trucks.

With closed 13 assembly planties in next 9 weeks GM reduced produktion in the North America 19O thousand cars. GM think, that restriction of production will reduce amount of seller in the USA 32 % to 525 thousand cars to the end of July.

In the closed assembly planties work 21 thousand staffs, who will be unnemployed.
According to analytics the closing of assembly planties of GM will deepen finance embarrassment.

The application of euro ecorted any radical problems

24.04.2009 18:58 – BRATISLAVA

From the application of euro als national currency in Slovakia in 1. January 2009 flowed more than 100 days.

TASR asked representative of government for application of euro Igor Barat to evaluate present experiences with new national currency in Slovakia.

According to him the application of euro in Slovakia overshooted really slick and no problems.

The 16 –days dual revolution overshooted slick, nowhere arised stess abating, long rows, exchange of cash money was continuous and everywhere was her sufficient and prices haven´t incereased relatively.

Today is euro practical actual daily reality, about which undiscuss.

The Slovakia showed, that is really advanced country, which proves to rise to this difficult historical step in a organizational and technical aspect very good.