Eastern Europe briefs

Ukrainian production in January and February Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first two months of this year was 14.6% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Ukraine in January and February was 0.6% lower year-on-year. Lithuanian online tracking system The Agrovet meat processor in Lithuania has launched an online service allowing livestock producers to track their animals sold for slaughter, according to Baltic Business News. Each animal is given an identification number, allowing easy tracking of the animal during the slaughter process. The information is available in real time at [http://www.agrovet.lt] Croatian productivity in January Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that labour productivity in the Croatian leather industry in January was 23.1% higher than in January 2005. In comparison, labour productivity in Croatian industry as a whole in January was 5.2% higher year-on-year. Employment in the leather industry in January was 7.1% lower than in January last year. Czech Republic production in January The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in January was 10.8% higher than in January 2005. In comparison, overall industrial output in the Czech Republic in January was 15.1% higher year-on-year. Romanian average monthly wage Romania's National Statistics Institute reports that the average gross monthly wage in the Romanian leather industry in January was US$210, a fall of 3.4% compared with December last year. In comparison, the average monthly wage in Romanian industry as a whole in January was 1.9% lower month-on-month at US$374. Slovak Republic foreign trade in 2005 The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$135 million in 2005, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities were 7.3% higher year-on-year at US$285 million. Bosnia and Herzegovina increase production Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Bosnia and Herzegovina in February was 22.5% higher than in January and 6.7% higher than in February 2005. In comparison, the monthly fall in industrial output in Bosnia and Herzegovina in February was 7.1%, and the annual increase, 7.9%. The Agency of Statistics reports that Bosnia and Herzegovina exported leather and leather products worth US$7.90 million in January, an increase of 32.8% compared with January 2005. Imports of the same types of commodities in January were 13.1%.