Sponsored Content
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
Raiffeisen Against Bank Insolvency Act
The Austrian government announced to introduce a bank insolvency act in summer. Raiffeisen wants a European solution.
May 9, 2012
Orange Takeover: T-Mobile Claims Legal Restraints
According to the Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, the takeover of the third-largest Austrian telecommunication service provider would lead to a distortion of competitions.
May 8, 2012
bwin.party Expands in California
The Austrian-British gambling company achieved an online poker agreement in California
May 8, 2012
Austria Emphasizes Importance of Partnership with Russia
Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.
May 8, 2012
Global Demand for Solar Technology from Austria
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is currently home to the world's largest solar thermal plant. The technology behind this plant came from Austria.
May 8, 2012
AUA: Last Chance for Workforce
Austrian Airline´s works council tries to prevent the already resolved transfer of undertakings to Tyrolean. AUA´s management does not want to re-negotiate again.
May 7, 2012
VTB Continues Growth Course
The Austrian subsidiary of the Russian VTB Bank registered a 39.8% growth in net income. Total assets grew by 43%.
May 7, 2012
Century Casinos Records Rising Earnings
The New York and Vienna-listed Century Casinos, Inc. announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Operating income was up slightly.
May 7, 2012
AUA to Offer More Flights to USA
After having implemented the austerity package, Austrian Airlines wants to expand. Above all, more flights to the U.S. will be offered.
May 5, 2012
Leitl: „EU Needs Budget Consolidation and Growth Measures“
The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claims to create a European fund in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
May 5, 2012
Immofinanz Expands Investor Base
In order to gain U.S. investors, the Austrian real estate company started an American Depositary Receipt program.
May 4, 2012
Albrecht Wants Common Collective Agreement
After the transfer of undertakings, the CEO of Austrian Airlines aims to create a collective agreement for the whole workforce. Further cuts are not excluded.
May 4, 2012
Decent Growth in Austrian Retail Trade Sector
Sales rose by 2.3% for Austrian retail trade in the first quarter 2012.
May 4, 2012
Austrians in the Centre of the Global IT Industry
The first Austrian companies from the IT industry are currently in California as part of the "Go Silicon Valley 2012" technology initiative.
May 3, 2012
New Record Loss at AUA
Bad news for Austrian Airlines: the result from operating activities reaches € -66.7m. AUA refers to higher kerosene prices and the air travel tax. Nevertheless, the turnaround should be reached in 2013.
May 3, 2012
Austrian Unemployment Still Lowest in EU
The EU unemployment rate rose to 10.9% in March 2012 from 9.9% the year before. Since 2000, taxes on labor rose dramatically in Austria.
May 2, 2012
Major Order at TGW by U.S. Gap Inc.
The U.S. specialty apparel retailer Gap Inc selects the Austrian TGW Systems to manage their residual carton handling operation.
May 2, 2012
U.S. Delegation Impressed by Austrian Urban Technologies
“Austria is probably 10 years ahead of the U.S. in regard to urban planning and implemented technologies,” was the credo heard from visiting U.S. experts on urban planning when visiting Austria in April 2012.
May 2, 2012
CA Immo Focuses on Berlin
The Austrian real estate group sees high demand and low supply in the German capital´s property market. In 2012, investment volume reached € 245m in Frankfurt and Berlin.
May 2, 2012
Unemployment Rises by 6.7%
In Austria, the number of unemployed persons rose up to 321,817 in April. Simultaneously, employment reaches a new record level.
May 1, 2012
Cross Industries Still in the Red
Due to interest expenses, the Austrian industrial holding company recorded losses of € 4.5m after € 4.8m in 2010.
April 30, 2012
Raiffeisen Bank International Closes Acquisition of Polbank
The Provisional purchase price is € 460m in cash for a 70 per cent stake in the Polish private bank. RBI becomes number 6 in the Polish banking market.
April 30, 2012
AUA´s Workforce May Decide Against New Collective Agreement
After months of heated debates, the works council and the management agreed on a new collective agreement. The aircrew must approve the agreement.
April 28, 2012
Strabag: Haselsteiner Underlines Importance of Russia
In 2007, the Austrian construction company announced to establish its third core market in Russia. However, Strabag is still far from that.
April 28, 2012
CA Immo Expands in Munich
The Austrian real estate company has a new tenant in office building in Munich's Arnulfpark.
April 27, 2012
Conwert Establishes Joint Venture in Germany
The Austrian real estate company expands in Germany. Sales volume of the construction project in Bamberg is estimated to reach € 100m.
April 27, 2012
AMAG Starts Investment Program
The Austrian aluminum company invests € 220m in the enlargement of the main site in Ranshofen, Upper Austria. RLB Upper Austria now holds a 16.5% stake.
April 26, 2012
Spindelegger Appeals Israel and Palestine to End the Conflict
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Idle run in Middle East increases extremist danger for the region”
April 26, 2012
Immofinanz Group Acquires Office Development Project in Düsseldorf
The Austrian Group announces the acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in the Panta Rhei, a planned office development project in Düsseldorf, from the co-owner Frankonia Group.
April 26, 2012
Austria Wants to Raise Efficiency in EU Funds
The Austrian State Secretary Waldner participates in the negotiations of the EU financial framework 2014-2020 and calls for setting a regional and environmental course.
April 25, 2012
VBI: Sberbank Injects € 300m
The Russian Sberbank raises the equity base of its new Austrian subsidiary VBI, which should become the hub for the CEE region.
April 24, 2012
Labor Costs: Austria in the Upper Third
Hourly labor costs ranged between € 3.5 and € 39.3 in the EU27 Member States. In Austria, labor costs reach € 29.20.
April 24, 2012
Mayr-Melnhof: Dispute in the UK Escalates
After the British site of the Austrian packaging company was shut down in February, the British trade union Unite attacks Mayr-Melnhof sharply.
April 23, 2012
Austrian Ministry of Finance Records Higher Tax Intake
In the first three months of 2012, tax proceeds were up by 3.8%. The Ministry of Finance registered revenues of € 16.2bn.
April 23, 2012
Leitl: Increasing Foreign Trade with Russia
The President of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce) wants to raise bilateral trade volume up to € 10bn by 2015.
April 23, 2012
Maastricht Criteria: Austria in the Middle Field
In 2011, the government deficit of both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27 decreased in absolute terms compared with 2010, while the government debt rose in both zones.
April 23, 2012
RHI Pursues Growth Strategy in India
The Austrian RHI AG, the world’s biggest maker of fireproofing ceramics, is pursuing a takeover in India and may start a joint venture in Russia to expand its global reach.
April 21, 2012
AUA Resolves Transfer of Undertakings
The supervisory board of Austrian Airlines decided to switch to cheaper collective agreements. The transfer of undertakings is “crucial for AUA´s survival”.
April 20, 2012
Austrian Opposition Increase Criticism on Swiss Tax Deal
For FPÖ, the tax deal with Switzerland is a “gift for tax evaders”. The Green Party sees support for tax fraud.
April 18, 2012
Former Bawag CEO Criticizes Cerberus Sharply
Helmut Elsner, former CEO of Bawag, accuses the new owner Cerberus to abuse the bank as “garbage dump” for toxic assets.
April 18, 2012
„AUA is no Protected Area Anymore“
Lufthansa´s CEO Christoph Franz underlined not to accept permanent losses of the Austrian subsidiary AUA. “There is no protected area at Lufthansa anymore.”
April 18, 2012
Roiss Claims European „Fracking“ Strategy
OMV´s CEO Gerhard Roiss calls for a common strategy to exploit shale gas. The European industrial sector should become more competitive.
April 18, 2012
RBI: Takeover of Polbank Approved
The Polish Competition Authority allowed Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) to purchase Polbank. Conversely, RBI has to list as Warsaw Stock Exchange.
April 18, 2012
Mitterlehner: „AAA is still Far Away“
Austria´s Minister of Economics does not believe that S&P gives back the “AAA” rating soon. However, the debate about Austria´s rating is overvalued, he thinks.
April 17, 2012
Austria Supports EU Capitalization Plans for Banks
Regulators in the European Union may be allowed to impose capital surcharges on banks
April 17, 2012
Austrian Inflation Slightly Down
In March, a decrease of the Consumer Price Inflation to 2.4% was observed.
April 17, 2012
Fitch Confirms “AAA” For Austria
The U.S. rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Austria's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'AAA'. The rating Outlooks on both Long-term ratings are Stable.
April 17, 2012
Uniqa Sells German Mannheimer Group
The Austrian insurance company concludes the sale of its majority stake in Mannheimer AG.
April 16, 2012
Austrian Economy on Moderate Growth Course
Bank Austria Forecasts table growth until summer followed by chances of an upswing. Austria could achieve GDP growth of 0.8 percent in 2012 and 2 percent in 2013.
April 16, 2012
Austria and Switzerland Signed Tax Treaty
Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter signed the tax treaty with her Swiss colleague Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. In 2013, additional tax intake of € 1.0bn is expected.
April 14, 2012