* Stocks rise, with MSCI world index up 0.7 pct

* Dollar gains against euro, yen

* Crude, gold slips; govt bonds mixed (For a FACTBOX on major market losses and gains in 2008, click on [ID:nLV492428])

By Dominic Lau

LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - World stock markets opened the new year with gains on Friday after a dismal 2008, while the dollar rose against major currencies and prices in crude and gold fell.

Global stocks as measured by the MSCI world index .MIWD00000PUS advanced 0.7 percent on the first trading day of 2009, with the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 up 1.6 percent.

Futures for the U.S. Dow Jones industrial average DJc1 and the S&P 500 SPc1 pointed to a higher opening later in the day.

That was despite data painting a bleak picture for the global economy after factories in China, India and Russia slashed output and jobs at a record pace in December.