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

GDP per Capita: Vienna Ranks 11th

In 2009, Austrian regions remained above average in terms of regional GDP per capita in the EU.

March 13, 2012

AUA: Compromise May Be Reached

After weeks of negotiations, the works council at Austrian Airlines seems to make concessions to the management. Tomorrow, the deadline expires.

March 12, 2012

Red Bull Not Interested in Monster Beverage

Monster Beverage may not be a willing target. Moreover, the Austrian energy drink producer achieves strong organic growth in the U.S.

March 12, 2012

Despite Loss of AAA: Austria Pays Less Interest

The Austrian Republic had to pay € 300m less than initially expected in 2011. In spite of the downgrade by S&P, the trend seems to continue.

March 10, 2012

RBI Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner for Moscow Airport

The loan of € 165m for the largest Russian Airport is for general corporate purposes. The international financing consortium consists of ING, Société Générale and RBI.

March 9, 2012

„The Public Sector Does not Get Enough“

Klaus Pöttinger, President of Upper Austria´s IV takes Switzerland as model. Taxes would be too high, efficiency of the public sector is too low, he says.

March 9, 2012

Orange Takeover: Hutchison is Optimistic

The Hong Kong-based telecommunication company Hutchison 3 is sure that the takeover of Orange will be approved by the competition authorities. The competitor T-Mobile is not convinced at all.

March 9, 2012

BWB Finishes Razzia at Rewe Austria

Due to suspicions of price arrangements, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) secured comprehensive documents of Rewe Austria. The longest razzia in BWB´s history is finished.

March 9, 2012

Cernko Criticizes VBAG Bail-Out

Willibald Cernko, CEO of Bank Austria considers that the Austrian state reacted too late. A partly nationalization could have taken place already one year before.

March 9, 2012

AUA: Confrontation of Management and Workforce Sharpens

The management of Austrian airlines must find an agreement with its pilots until March 13. A solution is not in sight.

March 8, 2012

„Going to America 2012“: AWO Supports Austrian Business in USA

Foreign Trade Austria (AWO) shows business opportunities in the U.S. to domestic companies.

March 8, 2012

Rewe is Said to Constrain Investigations

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) suspects Rewe Austria to have made price arrangements. Rewe should have constrained BWB´s investigations.

March 6, 2012

Fekter: "Eurogroup Chief Must Be Head of Government"

Austria’s Finance Minister Maria Fekter said the next leader of the group of euro-area finance ministers has to be a head of his or her government in order to have the necessary authority.

March 6, 2012

Moody's Changes Outlook on Verbund's Rating to Negative

The U.S. rating agency Moody's Investors Service has today changed to negative from stable the outlook on the A2 senior unsecured rating of the Austrian energy company Verbund .

March 6, 2012

Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS to Open New North American Head Office

Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Inc., a subsidiary of Austrian Kapsch TrafficCom AG, announced the opening of the new corporate head office in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

March 6, 2012

Isovoltaic Said to Start Stake Sale After Failed IPO

Isovoltaic AG, an Austrian solar developer, started the sale of a 45 percent stake as it seeks an alternative to last year’s failed initial public offering, according to a person with knowledge of the process.

March 5, 2012

AUA: Negotiations Go On

Austrian Airlines does not face strikes. Not only AUA´s management is under pressure. Workers fear a new foundation of AUA or a re-sale.

March 5, 2012

Razzia at Rewe Austria Continues

Investigators announced to have found substantial evidence at Rewe Austria, which is suspected of having made price agreements.

March 3, 2012

VBAG´s Executive Board Asked to Resign

Parts of the Volksbanken sector, which hold stakes in VBAG, offer resistance to the management board.

March 3, 2012

Change on Executive Board at Austrian Airlines

Karsten Benz to become new Chief Commercial Officer and succeeds Andreas Bierwirth. The supervisory board will decide on the change of management on 13 March.

March 3, 2012

Fiscal Treaty: Austrian Economy Satisfied, Opposition Criticizes

After the signing of the EU fiscal treaty at the EU Summit today, reactions in Austria are very different. The largest opposition party FPÖ calls for a popular vote.

March 2, 2012

Board Member Bierwirth Leaves AUA

Andreas Bierwirth, member auf Austrian Airline´s management board, will exit. It is supposed that the austerity package caused controversies within AUA´s management.

March 2, 2012

Nowotny: „Austrian Banking Activities in CEE Better than their Reputation”

According to the governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, Austrian banks engaged in Central and Eastern Europe are more stable than they are supposed to be.

March 1, 2012

Rise in Austrian Unemployment Rate

At the end of February, 380,000 persons were unemployed. This is a rise of 5.2%. At the EU level, Austria´s unemployment rate is still the lowest.

March 1, 2012

Schlecker Closes Branches

The insolvent German chemist chain shuts down the half of its branches in Germany. In Austria, inprofitable shops will be closed.

March 1, 2012

AUA Delays Extraordinary Supervisory Board Meeting

AUA´s management has not reached a compromise with its staff yet. As a new collective agreement is still missing, the supervisory board meeting has been postponed by March 13.

March 1, 2012

austriamicrosystems Reports Rise in Revenues and Earnings

The manufacturer of high performance analog ICs registered a 32% rise in revenues. EBIT rose by 59%.

February 29, 2012

Immofinanz Group Develops Office Building in Prague

The Austrian real estate group makes an investment of 24.6m in the Czech Republic. The project will be finalized in 2013.

February 29, 2012

VBAG´s Rescue Endangers Austerity Targets

In 2012, savings should reach € 576m. However, only write-offs in VBAG cost € 700m. The Austrian government seeks for additional revenues.

February 29, 2012

Rewe Suspected of Price Arrangements

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) suspects Rewe Group for having made price arrangements with competitors and suppliers.

February 28, 2012

Palfinger: Joint Venture in China

The Austrian crane producer initiates a joint venture company with Chinese Sany Heavy Industries.

February 28, 2012

Record for McDonald´s Austria

In 2011, McDonald´s Austria registered a rise in guests by 4.4% and sales of € 515m.

February 28, 2012

Nationalization of VBAG: Austrian State Holds 49%

After Kommunalkredit and Hypo Group, VBAG becomes the third Austrian bank which is publicly owned.

February 28, 2012

Tyrol Equity Takes over Rim Producer BBS

The Austrian industrial hold, owned by Raiffeisen, Hypo Tyrol and Swarovski, acquired the insolvent German rim producer BBS.

February 27, 2012

Austria: Low Attractiveness as Research Location

According to a study among European scientists, Austria loses its reputation. The most attractive destination is the U.S.

February 27, 2012

Plaut Improved Sales and Earnings

The Austrian Plaut Aktiengesellschaft, listed on the General Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, announced its provisional and unaudited consolidated result for fiscal 2011.

February 27, 2012

Pessimism in Austrian Banking Industry

26% of interviewed managers in the Austrian banking industry regard the development of the operating business as “very bad”.

February 27, 2012

Austrian Current Account Deficit Rising

Against 2010, the Austrian current account deficit almost doubled. Both imports and exports reached record levels.

February 27, 2012

Austria Discussing Top Banks’ Capital Rules With EU Commission

Austria’s regulators are discussing rules for its top banks that will curb excessive lending in Central and Eastern Europe with the European Commission.

February 25, 2012

EIB: Fewer Funds for Austrian Companies

After a record in 2011, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will reduce lending to Austrian companies this year.

February 24, 2012

Economic Growth Forecast: 0.7% in 2012

The EU-Commission sees an economic growth of 0.7% for Austria in 2012. Austria is in the middle-field among the EU member states.

February 23, 2012

T-Mobile Austria Records Declining Results

The Austrian subsidiary of the German telecommunication group registered a decrease in EBITDA by 10.6%. Sales were down by 6.0%.

February 23, 2012

Austria Will Not Get „AAA“ Back in Near Future

The economist at the German Deka bank, Ulrich Kater, does not think that Austria will be upgraded within the next years.

February 22, 2012

Erste Group Manages Issue of Czech Republic € 2.0bn Bond

The Austrian bank observed good demand for the Czech sovereign bonds offering: total orders of approx. € 3.5bn from over 190 investors.

February 22, 2012

Moody's Takes Actions on Austrian Banks

The U.S. rating agency has a closer look on Austrian banks, which are related to the creditworthiness of public institutions.

February 22, 2012

AUA: Time Pressure Grows

Only eight days are left for the management of Austrian Airlines to agree on a new collective agreement with the employees. An acceptable solution for both sides may be barely found.

February 21, 2012

Resch Exceeds € 100m Sales

The Austrian bakery producer Resch & Frisch could record € 100m in sales last year. For 2012, sales of 105m are planned.

February 21, 2012

Prague Stock Exchange and CCP.A to Cooperate

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) and Austrian clearing house Central Counterparty Austria (CCP.A) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in cash markets.

February 20, 2012

German Justice Puts Pressure on Former Hypo Group Executives

In order to get damage compensation, the German justice opens legal proceedings against the former CEO´s of Austrian Hypo Group, Tilo Berlin and Wolfgang Kulterer.

February 18, 2012

AUA: Atmosphere on the Brink

Austrian Airlines is endangered to face persisting disputes. The conflict between the management and the works council sharpened further.

February 17, 2012