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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-08-29

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] August 2008: Economic sentiment continues to decline in both the EU and the euro area
  • [02] August 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area continues to decline in August
  • [03] ECURIE ALERT: Belgian nuclear authorities alert the Commission about measures taken after releases of radioactive iodine
  • [04] Euro area inflation estimated at 3.8% in August
  • [05] Euro area unemployment stable at 7.3% in July; EU also stable at 6.8%
  • [06] Commission clears acquisition of Citibank Germany by Crédit Mutuel
  • [07] Commission clears acquisition of parts of LyondellBasell and Rhodia by Perstop
  • [08] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2008-08-29 Reference: MEX/08/0829 Date: 29/08/2008 EXME08 / 29.08

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    29/08/08


  • [01] August 2008: Economic sentiment continues to decline in both the EU and the euro area

    In August, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined further in both the EU and the euro area. It fell by 1.9 points in the EU and by 0.7 of a point in the euro area, to 86.9 and 88.8 respectively. In the EU, the ESI reached its lowest level since December 1993.

    [02] August 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area continues to decline in August

    After a fall below its long-term average in July, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased again in August. The low level of the indicator suggests that industrial activity remains subdued.

    [03] ECURIE ALERT: Belgian nuclear authorities alert the Commission about measures taken after releases of radioactive iodine

    On 28 August at 23:31 the European Commission received an ECURIE alert notification from Belgium concerning a radiological incident in the Institut National de Radio-éléments (IRE) in Fleurus, Belgium. There had been a release of gaseous Iodine-131 from this facility. The incident had been classified Level 3 on the international INES scale (comprising 7 steps) on 26 August. On the basis of the analysis of environmental samples the Belgian authorities (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control) have now decided to implement protective actions, in particular restrictions on the consumption of local food produce (vegetables and milk), up to a distance of 5 km (sector North-East). In accordance with the ECURIE procedures the Commission immediately forwarded the alert notification to the ECURIE contact points in all Member States, Switzerland.

    [04] Euro area inflation estimated at 3.8% in August

    Euro area annual inflation is expected to have been 3.8% in August 2008 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat. It was 4.0% in July. To compute the flash estimate, Eurostat uses early price information from Member States for which data are available as well as early information about energy prices. No detailed breakdown is available. Experience has shown the procedure to be reliable (14 times exactly anticipating the inflation rate and 10 times differing by 0.1 over the last two years). Further information can be found in Eurostat News Release 113/2001 of 5 November 2001.

    [05] Euro area unemployment stable at 7.3% in July; EU also stable at 6.8%

    The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.3% in July 2008, unchanged compared with June. It was 7.4% in July 2007. The EU unemployment rate was 6.8% in July 2008, unchanged compared with June. It was 7.1% in July 2007. Eurostat estimates that 16.292 million men and women in the EU, of which 11.372 million in the euro area, were unemployed in July 2008. Compared with June 2008, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 73 000 in the EU and increased by 25 000 in the euro area. Compared with July 2007, unemployment fell by 563 000 in the EU and rose by 59 000 in the euro area. These figures are published by Eurostat.

    [06] Commission clears acquisition of Citibank Germany by Crédit Mutuel

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Citigroup's German retail banking business (Citibank Germany) by Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel, France (Crédit Mutuel). Both companies are active in retail banking and insurance. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [07] Commission clears acquisition of parts of LyondellBasell and Rhodia by Perstop

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of the toluene diisocyanate business of LyondellBasell Industries of The Netherlands and the hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate businesses of Rhodia SA of France by Perstorp Holding AB (Perstorp) of Sweden. Perstorp manufactures and supplies specialty chemicals. LyondellBasell manufactures and supplies toluene diisocyanates, used primarily in the manufacturing of polyurethane foams and coatings. Rhodia: manufactures and supplies hexamethylene diisocyanates and isophorone diisocyanates, organic compounds which are used primarily in the manufacturing of polyurethane coatings and coating resins. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [08] Autre matériel diffusé

    • Calendrier hebdomadaire du 1er au 7 septembre

    • Top News from the European Commission From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


    Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
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