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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


VBAG´s CEO: „Bank Aid Only Last Exit“

Gerald Wenzel, chairman of VBAG´s executive board, continues the downsizing strategy. A new bank aid would be the “ultima ratio”.
February 17, 2012


Porr Takes over German TKDZ

The Austrian construction group takes over Trierer Kalk-, Dolomit- und Zementwerke (TKDZ) in Wellen.
February 17, 2012


Moody's Considers to Downgrade Wienerberger

The U.S. rating agency placed all ratings of Wienerberger under review for possible downgrade.
February 17, 2012


Siegfried Wolf Enters Sberbank

The Austrian national and executive at Magna in Russia becomes President of VBI´s supervisory board.
February 16, 2012


Vienna Stock Exchange Cooperates With Eurex

With Eurex derivatives exchange, Vienna Stock Exchange wins a new customer.
February 16, 2012


Agrana Expands in Russia

The Austrian fruit and starch company invests € 27m in a factory site in Russia.
February 16, 2012


CA Immo: PwC Leased Additional Space in Frankfurt's Tower 185

Space leased of Frankfurt´s tower 185 increased to 75%. The consulting company leased another 2,800m2.
February 16, 2012


Conflict Between AUA´s Management and Staff Escalates

2,300 employees of Austrian Airlines are endangered to be forced to switch to another collective agreement. AUA hopes to reach an agreement.
February 15, 2012


VBI Sale to Sberbank Finalized

With the sale of the CEE segment of the Austrian VBAG, Russian Sberbank enters Eastern Europe.
February 15, 2012


Austerity Package Brings Burden of € 900m for Companies

The Austrian austerity package causes costs of € 900m for the Austrian real economy until 2016. Especially non-wage labor costs rise.
February 14, 2012


„Financial Transaction Tax Could Cause Recession“

According to the CEO of Vienna Stock Exchange, Michael Buhl, a financial transaction tax would cost productivity at enterprises.
February 14, 2012


Russia: Great Demand for Austrian Food

Due to rising purchase power of Russian households, Austrian food exports to Russia are booming. In 2012, the Russian retail trade sector is expected to grow by 15%.
February 14, 2012


Moody's Put Austria on Warning

The Austrian “AAA” rating has been confirmed by the U.S. rating agency. However, credit-watch is put on “negative”.
February 14, 2012


Rising Profits and Sales at Fabasoft

The Austrian software producer announces preliminary figures for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2011/2012.
February 13, 2012


AUA: Resistance of Workforce Could Be Given Up

After serious warnings of the management of Austrian Airlines, the works councils are ready to talk about new collective agreements.
February 11, 2012


Gazprom to Double Natural Gas Reserves in Europe

The Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom intends to improve supply security in Europe. Gas reserves in Austria should be extended too.
February 10, 2012


Lufthansa to Bundle Operations

In order to achieve the austerity targets, Lufthansa centralizes operations. Austrian Airlines is highly affected.
February 10, 2012


Sale of Brixlegg Concluded

The former copper-division of the insolvent Austrian A-Tec Group has been sold to the Swiss Umcor AG.
February 10, 2012


Shortage in Energy Supply: Austria Helps Germany Out

In Germany, wind power plants record a decrease in energy production. German energy suppliers called for Austrian electricity.
February 9, 2012


AUA to be Re-Sold?

Rumors on Austrian Airlines do not end. A sale by Lufhansa is discussed, even the insolvency is not excluded.
February 9, 2012


Problems on European Level as Burden for Austria

Over the last months, the European economy lost its impetus, which is a major burden for the Austrian economy.
February 9, 2012


Moderate Rise in Passengers at AUA

Austrian Airlines traffic result for January 2012: 7.1 percent increase in Passenger Volume. European traffic rose slightly stronger.
February 9, 2012


Schlecker: „Austria Remains Independent“

The insolvent German chemist chain underlines that ist Austrian subsidiary is „definitively not affected“ by the insolvency proceedings.
February 9, 2012


Major Offer for Vienna International Airport by Petrus Advisers

The London-based real estate company made a € 450m offer to VIA. However, the demanded property is not for sale.
February 8, 2012


Keuschnigg to Succeed Felderer

Christian Keuschnigg will succeed Bernhard Felderer as director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) in June.
February 8, 2012


Growing Nerviness at AUA´s Workforce

The workforce at Austrian Airlines feels uncertainty. Even a bankruptcy is feared.
February 8, 2012


Vorarlberg Invests Massively in Renewable Energy

The Austrian province aims for enlarging renewable energy production together with the South-German energy group EnBW. Investments total € 600m.
February 7, 2012


Still Capital Requirement at Kommunalkredit

The „bad bank“ of the nationalized Austrian bank, KA Finanz, receives € 190m by the Austrian state. Moreover, another € 600m are needed in the first half of 2012.
February 7, 2012


Zielpunkt Gets New Owner

MBO at the Austrian supermarket chain: CEO Jan Satek takes over the company and wants to focus on local supply.
February 7, 2012


Austrian Government Debt Quota Declining Slightly

Euro area government debt down to 87.4% of GDP in the third quarter 2011 compared with second quarter 2011.
February 6, 2012


Mitterlehner: „Shortages in Russian Gas Supply Not Dangerous“

For The Austrian Minister of Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, the sudden cut in Russian natural gas supply is “no dangerous scenario”.
February 6, 2012


Pecik Aims for Reaching Blocking Minority

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik intends to re-organize the supervisory board. Nevertheless, operating functions are not targeted.
February 4, 2012


Palfinger to Enter China in 2012

The Austrian crane manufacturer plans to enter the Chinese market in the first half of 2012. China will become the biggest market for Palfinger, says CEO Ortner.
February 4, 2012


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