Croatia - Factors To Watch on November 2

Following are the main news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Croatia's financial markets on Monday. ZAGREB - Central bank to release September money supply and currency reserves. PRESS DIGEST ------------ NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYES RAPIDLY GROWS The number of employees in local self-governments rose as much as 80 percent in the past ten years, amounting to some 70,000 people. The government could cut this figure by at least 14,000 people, as part of a local self-government reform, without reducing work efficency and service quality, economic analysts said. Jutarnji list, page 18 INA GROUP POSTS 167 MLN KN NINE-MONTH LOSS Oil concern Ina posted a 167 million kuna net loss in first nine months, significantly down from the same period in 2009, when it achieved a net profit of 356 million kuna. Jutarnji list, page 18 POLL: MOST CITIZENS SUPPORT SDP'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES If presidential election were held now, 24.6 percent of citizens would vote for Ivo Josipovic, official candidate of the main opposition party, Social Democrats, while Milan Bandic, mayor of Zagreb and also a Social Democrat, would get 17.6 percent of votes. Third position is currently held by an independent candidate, Nadan Vidosevic. Jutarnji list, page 4 CATHOLIC CHURCH OPPOSES ARBITRATION AGREEMENT WITH SLOVENIA Although a large part of the public and politicians believe Croatia's EU entry outweighs potential risks that a border arbitration agreement with Slovenia might bring, Catholic Church officials have urged the government not to adopt the agreement, saying it was vague and might result in loss of Croatian territory. Vecernji list, page 6 Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.