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

Palfinger: Rise in Sales and Profits Expected

Tomorrow, the Austrian crane manufacturer Palfinger presents figures for the financial year 2011. Sales are estimated to grow by 30%, net results should reach € 40m.

February 2, 2012

Trade Unions: „Schlecker Austria Depends from Germany“

For the Austrian trade unions, talks with Schlecker Austria´s management are “acceptable”. An all-clear would be difficult.

February 2, 2012

Shortened Natural Gas Supply from Russia

The Austrian oil and gas group OMV reports that Russian natural gas exports only reach 70% of its normal level.

February 2, 2012

Coca Cola Closes Viennese Site

For cost reasons, the U.S. soft drink producer shifts production from Vienna to Burgenland. 80 employees will be laid off.

February 2, 2012

BDI Receives Major Order from USA

Austrian BioEnergy obtained order for retrofitting a U.S.-based biodiesel plant.

February 2, 2012

Kommunalkredit Downgraded by Moody´s

The U.S. rating agency downgraded Kommunalkredit Austria to Baa3.

February 2, 2012

OMV: „No Shortage in Natural Gas Supply“

Russian media reported on natural gas supply reductions for Europe. Gazprom denies, OMV refers to large natural gas reserves.

February 1, 2012

Major Order from Costa Rica for Andritz

The Austrian technology group Andritz was awarded a contract by the Institute of Electricity of Costa Rica.

February 1, 2012

RBI Structures Credit Facility for Chinese Company

Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) finances delivery of the plant by Andritz-Group for Chinese Ganzhou.

February 1, 2012

Schlecker Austria Will Not Be Sold

The German chemist chain gives the all-clear. The Austrian subsidiary is not affected by the insolvency of the group.

February 1, 2012

Support for AUA´s Management

Christoph Leitl, President of Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), shows support for the management of Austrian Airlines.

January 31, 2012

Uncertain Future of Schlecker Austria

After the insolvency of the German chemist chain, experts consider that the Austrian subsidiary could be sold.

January 31, 2012

Austria Still With Lowest Unemployment Rate in EU

Euro area unemployment rate stands at 10.4%. Austria has second-lowest youth unemployment rate.

January 31, 2012

FPÖ Wants Cuts in Spendings

The biggest Austrian opposition party suggests reducing public expenditures in order to reduce the budget deficit. Chairman Strache calls for a “subsidy brake”.

January 30, 2012

VKB Records Rise in Results

The regional bank VKB´s operating result improved by 9.0%.

January 28, 2012

AUA: Resistance Forms Up

Austerity plans by Austrian Airline´s new management faces massive resistance. The dispute with employees threatens to escalate.

January 27, 2012

Austrian Trust in Euro Decreases

Austrians became more skeptical to the common currency. Analysts see a “crisis of confidence”.

January 27, 2012

S&P Downgrades Austrian Provinces

The U.S. rating agencies lowers ratings for Upper Austria, Vienna and Tyrol from “AAA” to “AA+”.

January 26, 2012

Slightly Positive Results at Sanochemia

The Austrian pharmaceutical company raised revenues by 26%. Profits amount to € 0.7m.

January 26, 2012

Opel Records Rise in Production

Opel Austria, a subsidiary of the U.S. group General Motors, could raise production by 11% in 2011.

January 25, 2012

S&P Keeps Rating for Erste Group and RZB

After the downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds two weeks ago, the U.S. rating agency remains its ratings for the two largest domestic banks.

January 25, 2012

Scharinger: „Rating Agencies Are Instruments of Torture“

The leaving CEO of RLB Upper Austria, Ludwig Scharinger, is convinced that Europe needs must make itself more competitive against the U.S. financial industry.

January 24, 2012

New Records for Viennese Tourism

In 2011, the Austrian capital registered 11.4 million guest nights, which is a new record.

January 24, 2012

Strache Claims Cut in Subsidies

The chairman of the Austrian opposition party FPÖ criticized the government fiercely for its fiscal policy.

January 23, 2012

Schlecker Insolvency: 3,000 Jobs Endangered

The German chemist chain today filed for insolvency. In Austria, Schlecker employs 3,000 workers.

January 23, 2012

Central Bank Act: Orban Gives In

Hungary waives the planned merger of the Central Bank and the Financial Market Authority. Yesterday, Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Orban in Budapest.

January 21, 2012

AUA´s Staff Protests Against Wage Cuts

The new management of Austrian Airlines faces fierce resistance by the workforce. The new austerity package is heatedly contested.

January 20, 2012

Warta Sale: VIG Unsuccessful

The sale of the Polish insurance group Warta is closed. The German Talanx takes over Warta, Vienna Insurance Group had no chance.

January 20, 2012

Moody´s Downgrades Telekom Austria

The U.S. rating agency lowered Telekom Austria´s rating from A3 to Baa1, which is due to the weak business development.

January 19, 2012

AT&S Launches Strategic Alliance with U.S. MFLEX

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. and AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft, today announced a Strategic Alliance Agreement.

January 19, 2012

Austriamicrosystems Reports Strong Rise in Revenues

austriamicrosystems announces its preliminary financial information for full year and fourth quarter 2011.

January 19, 2012

RHI Takes Over Swiss Stopinc AG

The Austrian producer of refractory takes over refractory specialty producer Stopinc AG. RHI thus increase the stake held from 50% to 100%.

January 18, 2012

Signs for Economic Stabilization

The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees signs that the economic downturn trend can be stopped. A small growth in 2012 could be possible.

January 17, 2012

Metro Cancels Kaufhof Sale

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko has to abandon the plan to take over the German retail chain Kaufhof.

January 17, 2012

Berlin as New Growth Market for CA Immo

In 2012, the Austrian real estate company plans anInvestment volume of about € 300 m in Frankfurt and Berlin.

January 17, 2012

Binder Creates New Technology Company

Binder+Co AG has started the 2012 financial year with the foundation of a new subsidiary in the shape of Bublon GmbH. Binder+Co Group now consists of a total of four companies.

January 16, 2012

Downgrade: „It´s Time to Take Action“

The downgrade of Austria´s rating from “AAA” to “AA+” caused mixed reactions. The Austrian economy urges for structural actions.

January 15, 2012

New Management for Microsoft Austria

With Georg Obermeier, the Austrian subsidiary of the U.S. software group has a new executive.

January 14, 2012

Downgrade: Government Surprised and Criticized

For the Austrian government, the downgrade by the U.S. rating agency is „not comprehensible”. The domestic industry urgently claims structural reforms.

January 14, 2012

Bank Austria Lost Madoff Case

Bank Austria distributed Primeo Funds, issued by the U.S. former investment banker Bernard Madoff. The prospectus did not contain sufficient information, a Viennese court decided.

January 13, 2012

Unions Protest Against AUA´s Plans

Austrian trade unions are strictly against new austerity measures at Austrian Airlines. Management wants to negotiate over new collective agreements.

January 12, 2012

Polish Warta: Decision Expected this Week

Vienna Insurance Group and Zurich fight for Polish Warta. The seller, Belgian KBC, will decide this week.

January 12, 2012

Lenzing Continues Supply to U.S. Army

U.S. President Obama signs permanent import approval allowing the Austrian Lenzing AG to supply flame-resistant fibers to the U.S. Army.

January 12, 2012

Zotter Sounds Chinese Market

The Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter wants to offer his products to Chinese customers. A market entry is considered.

January 11, 2012

Pankl Takes Over German Automotive Company

The Austrian automotive and racing company Pankl acquires the German specialist Huber, which is located in Munich.

January 11, 2012

3.4% Passenger Increase for AUA

According to Austrian Airlines traffic results, more than 11 million passengers were carried in 2011.

January 11, 2012

CA Immo Completes Tower 185 Project in Frankfurt

Rental premises in the tower were simultaneously handed over to PwC, the principal tenant. The total investment in Tower 185 stands at approximately € 450m.

January 11, 2012

Austrian Airlines Records High Losses

Against previous expectations, the Austrian subsidiary of Lufthansa could not improve its results in 2011 compared to 2010.

January 10, 2012

Fitch: Austria´s AAA-Rating Not Endangered

According to the U.S. rating agency, the financial stability in Austria is still excellent. The bond auction today went well.

January 10, 2012

Major Order for Strabag in Poland

The Austrian construction group strengthens its market position in Polish transportation infrastructures segment with a € 254m order.

January 9, 2012