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Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations
Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism between Austria and its partners
Fitch Keeps Polish Sovereign Rating Unchanged
The U.S. rating agency has reassessed Poland´s sovereign debt rating.
February 15, 2014
Poland: PKO BP Planning to Establish Mortgage Bank
The Polish bank intends to found a mortage bank around the beginning of the year 2015.
February 14, 2014
Serbia: Key Rate Kept Untouched
The board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) underlined the importance of a cautious monetary policy in the light of the current economic developments.
February 14, 2014
Slovakia: Vote of No Confidence against PM Failed
The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Robert Fico failed in parliament.
February 14, 2014
Serbia: FDI of Great Importance for Economy
According to Deputy Prime Minister Vucic, the country’s biggest problem was the rate debt rate and fiscal deficit.
February 14, 2014
Singer: “Forex Interventions Were Right Measures”
Miroslav Singer, Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), considers the forex intervention and the weakening of the Czech Crown as the right measures in the light of the most recent inflation figures.
February 13, 2014
Poland: Consumer Loans Expected to Rise Significantly
Last year consumer loans saw a 16 percent growth which leads to expecations that Poland will register a double-digit growth rate in 2014 as well.
February 12, 2014
Hypo Group: Bad Bank Active at Least 10 Years
Austria’s rating by Standard & Poor’s (“AA+”, stable outlook) is currently not compromised. Because of the establishing of the bad bank the debt rate will rise four to six percent.
February 12, 2014
Erste Group: Net Results Below Expectations
Erste Group provides business update for 2013: Improvement in risk costs is outweighed by one-off items and tax effects, impacting net profit
February 11, 2014
Poland: Sharp Decline in Insurance Prices
Insurance policy prices dropped almost 30 percent last year.
February 11, 2014
Austria: Hypo Group Becomes Fiasco for Taxpayers
The most expensive solution for the winding up of troubled Hypo Group becomes imminent.
February 11, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth to Speed Up
According to the Economy Ministry’s forecast, economic growth is supposed to come at 3 percent of GDP year-on-year this year. Inflation, on the other, is expected to come at 2 percent.
February 10, 2014
Serbia: Inflation Requires New IMF Agreement
In the light of a devaluation of the Dinar Serbia needs a new agreement with the IMF to improve funding and accelerate the realization of reforms.
February 10, 2014
Poland: Slight Drop in 2013 Banks’ Profits
Polish banks displayed a total net profit of PLN 15.43 billion in the financial year 2013, which is a slight decrease of 0.3 percent on an annual comparison basis.
February 10, 2014
“We Want to Return to the Mainstream”
The new Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka announced that the country will become a member of the EU Fiscal Pact.
February 7, 2014
Czech Republic. Euro Adoption Causes Dispute Within the Cabinet
Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Zaoralek (CSSD – Czech Social Democrats) wants to adopt the euro as soon as possible. Minister of Finance Andrej Babis rejects that idea.
February 7, 2014
Hungary: Why Orban Faces Another Victory
At the beginning of April, Hungary will hold elections. Despite a high level of dissatisfaction and political frustration, there will be no government change.
February 7, 2014 · Updated: February 7, 2014; 17:59
Czech Republic: CNB Demonstrates Optimism
The Czech National Bank has revised the economic outlook. Domestic demand remains is expected to remain weak.
February 7, 2014
Standard & Poor´s Underlines Poland´s Economic Robustness
The U.S. rating agency S&P keeps Poland´s sovereign debt rating unchanged. The outlook remains stable.
February 7, 2014
FHB Bank Acquires Stake in Takarek Bank
The largest Hungarian mortgage bank becomes a core shareholder of the Hungarian savings bank Takarek Bank. Takarekbank is an umbrella bank for the Hungarian savings bank sector.
February 7, 2014
Romania: Chitiou Has Lost Support from PNL
As reported by Vindobona, Romania´s Minister of Finance has decided to leave the government. According to rumors, the resignation was forced by senior PNL members.
February 7, 2014
Romania: Minister of Finance Quits
Minister of Finance Daniel Chitoiu is said to leave the Romanian cabinet.
February 6, 2014
Croatia: Optimism Despite Difficult Frame Conditions
After six consecutive years of negative growth rates, Croatia´s economy is still far away from a recovery. Nevertheless, Croatian entrepreneurs are relatively optimistic.
February 6, 2014
Czech National Bank Retains Monetary Strategy
The Czech National Bank keeps the reference rate at the record low and confirms its commitment to continue interventions.
February 6, 2014
Poland: Public Debt Falls Significantly
Due to the nationalization of the pension funds OFE, Poland´s public debt quota goes down to 50% of GDP.
February 6, 2014
Fitch Criticizes European Stress Tests
The rating agency argues that there is still a lack in technical details. Regarding the robustness of the stress tests, Fitch demonstrates skepticism.
February 6, 2014
Poland: Interest Rate Remains Unchanged
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has kept the reference rate stable at 2.50%. As the zloty has begun to weaken, the pressure on NBP is growing.
February 6, 2014 · Updated: February 6, 2014; 10:24
Romania Reaches Agreement With IMF
Romania has met the criteria to receive a stand-by agreement by the International Monetary Fund.
February 5, 2014
Hungarian National Bank: Market Manipulation Caused Fall in Forint
Hungary´s currency is under pressure again. In the last few weeks, the Forint has fallen substantially against the euro.
February 5, 2014
Roubini: Hungary in Difficulties
A number of emerging countries are facing enormous problems, according to economist Nouriel Roubini. Also countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are affected.
February 5, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth to Accelerate Further
Today, the U.S. rating agency Fitch has revised its economic forecast.
February 5, 2014
Czech Republic: Rusnok to Become CNB Board Member
Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint former Czech prime minister Jiri Rusnok as new board member of the Czech National Bank.
February 4, 2014
Poland: Sixteen Banks to be Examined by EBA
In total, sixteen Polish banks will participate in the stress tests carried out by the European Banking Authority.
February 4, 2014
Criticism of Croatia´s Fiscal Policy
Next year, Croatia´s government wants to comply with the EU fiscal rules. According to economists, this aim is not realistic.
February 4, 2014
IMF: Bulgaria May Reach European Standards in 40 Years
According to the International Monetary Fund, the poorest EU member faces a long transition period.
February 4, 2014
Romania: Base Rate at Record Low
Today, the Board of the National Bank of Romania has cut the base rate to 3.50 % from 3.75%. Since July, borrowing costs were cut by 175 bps. Economists think that there will be no further cuts.
February 4, 2014
„Hungary and Austria Must not Become Enemies“
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants a solution between the Hungarian government and the Austrian banking sector.
February 4, 2014
Bulgaria: IMF Puts Pressure on Government
The International Monetary Fund demands Bulgaria´s government to accelerate economic reforms.
February 3, 2014
Bucharest: Fitch Affirms Sovereign Debt Rating
The U.S. rating agency Fitch has kept the long-term issuer default rating at “BBB-“. The outlook remains stable.
February 3, 2014
Upward Trend in Polish Property Market Continues
In Poland, the property market continues to grow significantly. There are no signs of a cool-down.
February 3, 2014
Czech Republic: Euro Not Before 2020
Czech new Minister of Finance Andrej Babis thinks that the euro will not be introduced in the next few years.
February 3, 2014
Serbia: First License Withdrawal of Private Bank
For the first time in the Serbian history, a privately held bank loses its license.
February 3, 2014
Tusk: No Monetary Interventions Necessary
In the past few months, the Polish zloty fell significantly. However, Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk thinks that the zloty does not need support.
February 3, 2014
Hungary: Next Currency Crisis Ahead
The extremely loose monetary policy begins to become a problem for Hungary. The forint exchange rate is going up considerably.
February 1, 2014
Vienna Insurance Group Enters New Market
Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris.
January 31, 2014
Hungary: Stable Economy, Weak Currency
According to Prime Minister Orban the volatility of the Hungarian Forint is based on global factors.
January 31, 2014
EANS-Total Voting Rights: Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Release according to article 93 BörseG with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution
EANS-Total Voting Rights: Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Release according to article 93 BörseG with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution
January 31, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth in 2013 above Expectations
GDP growth in Poland came at 1.6 percent year-on-year in 2013 which is 0.1 percent above expectations.
January 31, 2014
Poland: PKO BP Plans Keeping High Level of Loans
Poland’s biggest bank PKO BP plans selling consumer loans in the amount of PLN 2bn in every quarter from now on.
January 30, 2014
Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 2014