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

Polish Retail Sales Growing Substantially

In July, Polish retail sales increased by 6.9% on the year. In 2012, retail sales are expected to increase by 6.5%.

August 24, 2012

S&P Confirms Czech Rating

The U.S. rating agency retained the rating for the Rczech Republic.

August 24, 2012

Investment in Czech Republic Still Below Pre-Crisis Level

The global financial crisis, which originated in the USA in 2007 also hit the Czech Republic quite hard despite the fact that neither its internal nor external imbalances were excessive, the Czech Central bank stated.

August 24, 2012

Verbund Invests in German Wind Power

With the acquisition of five wind farms in Germany, the Austrian energy company enlarges its hydropower portfolio.

August 23, 2012

Bawag May Sell Leasing Unit

The Austrian lender Bawag, which is owned by the U.S. investment fund Cerberus, is said to sell its leasing business.

August 23, 2012

Voestalpine Expands Into USA

In the next several years, the Austrian steel group will be investing more than € 100m in new plants in China, the USA, South Africa, Romania, and Germany

August 23, 2012

Kapsch Sees Austria´s Main Problem in Education Sector

In the last years, Austria fell behind in all competitive rankings. For the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Georg Kapsch, education is the key factor.

August 22, 2012

Lay-Offs in Polish Banking Sector Ahead

According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, about 2,500 employees may lose their jobs in the banking industry.

August 21, 2012

Allianz Austria: Stable Earnings and Rising Premium Income

In the first quarter of 2012, Allianz Austria recorded a 24% slump in earnings. Pre-tax profits grew slightly.

August 21, 2012

Czech VAT to Increase

In order to increase public revenues, the Czech government may increase value added taxes.

August 21, 2012

European Congress of Small and Medium – Sized Enterprises in Katowice

From 24th to 27th September 2012, the II European Congress of Small and Medium – Size Enterprises will take place in Katowice, Poland. 50 discussion panels are planned including over 250 speakers with 3500 participants.

August 21, 2012

Austrian Real Income Fell Dramatically

Economists often say that Austria has benefitted from the euro. According to a study of UBS, Austria has lost a substantial degree of prosperity, however.

August 20, 2012

Great Demand for Polish Sovereign Bonds

Last week, the interest rate on Polish sovereign bonds fell to a all-time low of four percent. However, a trend reversal is not unlikely.

August 18, 2012

Hypo Group: Major Risk Factor for BayernLB

The former owner of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, which was nationalized in 2009, may write down up to € 3.1bn.

August 18, 2012

VBAG to Sell Container Business

The Austrian partly nationalized bank is said to sell its container leasing business for € 163m.

August 18, 2012

Poland Does Not Expect Recession in 2013

The Polish Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski explained that the Polish economy will grow by 2.5% this year.

August 18, 2012

bwin Enters into Partnership with Manchester United

bwin, Europe’s leading sports book, today announces a new agreement with Manchester United to become the club’s official online gaming and betting partner.

August 18, 2012

Poland´s Deficit Target in Danger

The Polish government may fail the 3.0% deficit target in 2012. Above all, the economic slowdown is a risk factor.

August 17, 2012

Foreign Currency Loans Decrasing

Foreign currency loans: One quarter of all Erste Bank customers have converted or switched loans with payment vehicles.

August 17, 2012

Austria Faces No Recession Yet

According to a flash estimate for the second quarter of 2012, the Euro area and EU27 GDP was down by 0.2%.

August 14, 2012

Austrian companies profiting from the Olympics

The London Olympics were responsible for prestigious and lucrative orders running into double-digit millions in the run-up to the games.

August 14, 2012

Tax Deal with Switzerland in Doubt

After a CD containing data of foreign tax evaders was bought by German authorities, Switzerland may hold a popular vote on the tax deal with Austria.

August 13, 2012

Profits Grow Slower in Polish Banking Sector

The Polish banking sector is still very stable. However, a trend reversal is foreseeable.

August 10, 2012

Fewer Passengers at Austrian Airlines

AUA´s capacity utilization rose substantially. Against July 2011, the number of passengers was down by 5.6%.

August 9, 2012

East European Banking Industry Shows Ambiguity

For West European banks, their subsidiaries in Eastern Europe are either highly problematic or the cash cows.

August 8, 2012

No Merger Between VBAG and Bawag

Bawag´s CEO Byron Haynes reaffirmed that U.S. owned bank is not interested in a merger with the partly nationalized VBAG.

August 6, 2012

Polish Business Service Sector Booming

In 2011, 38 new business service centers were established in Poland. The number of employees doubled since 2009.

August 4, 2012

Telekom Austria Reconsiders Takover of „Yesss!“

The takeover of Hutchison/Orange and Telekom Austria/Yesss! becomes difficult. After the new EU requirements, Telekom Austria wants to examine the acquisition again.

August 4, 2012

Polish Industrial Sector Shrinks

Last month, the Polish purchase manager index could recover. Nevertheless, there is no tendency of growth yet.

August 3, 2012

Stable Retail Trade in Austria

In June 2012, the Volume of retail trade up by 0.1% in euro area was down by 0.3% in EU27.

August 3, 2012

Czech Republic: Erste Group´s CEO Advises Against Introducing the Euro

According to Andreas Treichl, the Czech Republic should not enter the Eurozone now.

August 2, 2012

Surprising Profit at AUA

Due to special items, Austrian Airlines could achieve positive results in the first half year of 2012.

August 2, 2012

VIG Streamlines its Market Presence in Poland

Vienna Insurance Group announced that the merger of InterRisk and PZM is completed.

August 1, 2012

AUA: Auditors Found Inconsistencies

In 2007, Austrian Airlines should not have recorded a profit, but a substantial loss of € 235m, auditors says.

July 31, 2012

New Unemployment Record in Eurozone

The Euro area unemployment rate came at 11.2% in June 2012. Austria leads the ranking.

July 31, 2012

Austria: Guarantees Reach Half of Public Debt

Among EU members, only Ireland has more guarantees as a percentage of GDP.

July 30, 2012

Schlecker Austria to be Rescued?

The Austrian subsidiary of the bankrupt German chemist chain and its subsidiaries in Poland, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg may be continued.

July 30, 2012

Kapsch TrafficCom: Major Contract in U.S.

The Austrian IT company achieves a contract award in Texas for supply of first total system in North America. The contract value for implementation reaches $ 79 million (about € 64m).

July 30, 2012

Spindelegger: “EU human rights policy has been given a voice and face”

Austria’s Foreign Minister congratulates Stavros Lambrinidis on his appointment of EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

July 30, 2012

Austria is Liable for Hypo Group´s Major Loan

At the sale of Hypo Group by BayernLB in late 2009, BayernLB granted a loan of € 2.64bn. The Austrian state has issued a guarantee for this loan.

July 27, 2012

Government Puts Kommunalkredit for Sale

The nationalized Austrian lender Kommunalkredit should be sold until 2013. Offers must be to submit to Morgan Stanley until August 16.

July 26, 2012

„AUA Must Be in the Black Numbers“

For Austrian Airline´s CEO Jaan Albrecht, the implementation of the austerity program and the transfer of undertaking is mandatory.

July 26, 2012

Ukraine Emitted Eurobonds of USD 2 Billion

This Eurobond emission has been the largest in Ukraine ever. The Ministry of Finance has leveraged capital markets current developments thus ensuring that 260 investors’ final order volume constitutes USD 5.8 billion.

July 26, 2012

Former AUA Board Member Bierwirth Enters T-Mobile

Andreas Bierwirth becomes CEO of T-Mobile Austria. The current CEO Robert Chvatal leaves the company for “personal reasons”.

July 25, 2012

Schlecker´s Financial Situation Becomes Critical

Schlecker Austria, the subsidiary of the insolvent German chemist chain, is becoming more and more problematic. The liquidity is said to be used up in a few days.

July 25, 2012

EU: "Growth without New Debt"

Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Brussels: “Further intensive work on Europe in the next six months under Cypriot EU Presidency”

July 25, 2012

Moody´s to Watch Austria Carefully

After the U.S. rating agency has lowered the outlook for the AAA-countries Germany, Netherlands and Luxembourg, Austria´s rating will be checked thoroughly.

July 24, 2012

Ams: Revenue Growth Reached 66%

ams reports second quarter and first half results. EBIT was up remarkably.

July 24, 2012

EU Commission Approves Orange Takeover

The Hong Kong-based telecommunication company Hutchison is allowed to acquire the third-largest player in Austria.

July 23, 2012

Bank Insolvency Law: No Austrian Solo Run

Austria´s government changed its mind. There will be no national bank insolvency law. Austria will wait for a European solution instead.

July 23, 2012