Romania - Factors to Watch on Jan 27

Bucharest, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Tuesday.

IMF MISSION

A team of experts from the International Monetary Fund started a 9-day regular visit to Romania to assess the country's macroeconomic developments and policy plans by the centre-left governing coalition.

The team is expected to meet Finance Minister Gheorghe Pogea later on Tuesday.

BASESCU/IMF

President Traian Basescu said he was not in favour of a new deal with the IMF but could aim to strike a financing deal with the European Union.

Basescu also told state television TVR 1 that if the government's economic policies fail, he may not run for a new presidential mandate in 2009.

BUDGET TALKS

Ruling coalition representatives will meet on Tuesday to continue talks on the 2009 budget bill, expected to be approved by the cabinet on Thursday. (Cotidianul, page 4)

DACIA PLANT

Dacia carmaker, owned by France's Renault (RENA.PA), could pursue staff redundancies if orders continue to fall, president Francois Fourmont was quoted as saying. (Cotidianul, page 10)

EXPORTS DROP

Mihai Ionescu, the president of the Romanian Association of Exporters and Importers said he expects a 30-50 percent drop of exports in Q1 2009 compared to the same period from last year. (Romania Libera, page 9)

BRAN CASTLE

Culture Minister Theodor Paleologu and Turism Minister Elena Udrea will meet representatives of the Habsburg family this week to discuss the future of the museum known as Dracula's Castle. (Gandul, page 8)

Reuters