ADVERTISING Parliament passed a bill by MP Ladislav Skopal June 29 to ban advertising on Czech television. The bill, which would raise viewer fees in three steps from 75 Kč ($3) to 135 Kč over the next three years, is expected to win support in the Senate. The measure could raise the cost of television advertising 20 percent, according to one media analyst.

GUNS Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, one of the world's largest handgun producers, suffered losses totaling 16 million Kč last year compared with a 22 million Kč profit in 2003, a company representative said June 29. The company struggled under the strong crown and export license problems related to European Union accession.

PORTABILITY Mobile operators are planning to charge clients for number portability, but prices should be consistent with the EU average, according to media reports. Operators have said fees will depend on the technology used to launch the service. Number portability is expected to be on offer here from mid-January 2006.

INCENTIVES The Cabinet June 29 earmarked 200 million Kč in additional funding for investment incentives provided by the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry. "We have reacted to demand by investors, whose interest has been greater than expected," said Martin Jahn, deputy prime minister for the economy. The ministry originally asked for 700 million Kč.

TENDER The government approved conditions June 29 for the tender to select the supplier of an electronic toll system, allowing the Transport Ministry to push ahead with the offer June 30, Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said. The government will start collecting tolls from truck drivers in 2007, with passenger vehicles to follow in 2012 at the earliest.

EMPLOYMENT The government set aside 200 million Kč June 29 to boost employment out of a total 800 million Kč for job creation and training, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Zdeněk Škromach said.

SUIT Jiří Oliva, former CEO of state-run forest management company Lesy ČR, is suing the company's current management for alleged cronyism related to public procurement contracts, Deníky Bohemia reported June 30. Oliva, who took the post in1992, was fired in 2003.

HEALTH The Cabinet approved a 3.8 billion Kč bailout June 29 for health insurers. Health Minister Milada Emmerová said associated moves in the health sector would lead to savings of 35 billion Kč by 2007.