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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
Wilhelm Molterer Appointed Vice-President of the EIB
The former Austrian Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister will start his new job as Vice-President of the European Union’s bank on 1 July.
June 30, 2011
bwin.party to Start Share Buy-Back and Dividend Payments
The Austro-British gambling group starts paying dividends this year. Shares for up to € 75m will be bought back by the company.
June 30, 2011
Increase in Austrian Electricity Price below EU Average
Electricity and gas are relatively expensive in Austria compared to other EU countries. The electricity price rose by 1.1% in 2009/10.
June 29, 2011
Teak Holz to Raise Capital for Expansion
The Upper Austrian timber company announced a capital increase by € 15.6m. The funds will be used to boost growth.
June 28, 2011
Austria in the Upper Third of Comparative Price Levels across Europe
Austria recorded the eighth highest price level among the 27 EU member countries. Food and energy were found to be the most expensive segments in the country as compared to European prices.
June 28, 2011
Verbund to Restructure Its Portfolio
The Austrian electricity company is negotiating the sale of French Poweo. Eni and Enel are said to be interested in an acquisition.
June 27, 2011
Uniqa Sold Stake in Romanian Company
The Austrian insurance group sold its 27% holding in Astra for € 25m to the Nova Group.
June 27, 2011
voestalpine Acquires Dutch Company’s Research Department
The Austrian steel company expands its portfolio in railway systems technology with the acquisition of Baas R&D. The transaction is expected to boost expertise in diagnostic systems for rail transport.
June 27, 2011
Bronze Medal for Austria’s Economy
According to a study by Allianz, Germany is the euro zone country with the healthiest economy. Luxembourg comes on the second rank followed by Austria.
June 21, 2011
Austrian Financial Sector Stable – Remaining Challenges in Particular Business Segments
Stress test results show Austria’s banks to be more resistant to risks than in 2010 – Boosting equity remains on the agenda nevertheless.
June 21, 2011
Emerging Markets Boosting FACC
The Austrian aircraft component manufacturer relies on joint ventures in order to benefit from strong growth in emerging markets.
June 20, 2011
conwert Interested in Billion-Euro Deal with LBBW
The Austrian real estate company is looking for partners to purchase the residential property portfolio of the German bank. Industry experts see a realistic chance for an acquisition.
June 20, 2011
CA Immo: Uniform Brand Appearance also in Germany
In the future, the Austrian real estate group’s German subsidiary Vivico Real Estate GmbH will operate under the brand "CA Immo".
June 20, 2011
Austrian Companies Interested in Greek Lottery
As Greece is forced to put its assets on sale, Austrian gaming companies see chances for an acquisition of the country’s national lotteries.
June 17, 2011
Verbund: New Wind Farm in Romania
The Austrian electricity company will invest “several hundred million euros” in 77 new wind wheels which will go into service in 2012.
June 17, 2011
Immofinanz Acquires Romanian Property Developer
The Austrian real estate company buys the remaining stake for € 42.43m in order to become sole shareholder of Bucharest-based Adama.
June 16, 2011
Raiffeisen Expanding Its M&A Business in Russia
The Austrian bank group is planning a joint venture between RBI and RIAG in order to put the investment banking in Moscow on a new footing.
June 16, 2011
Building Project for Strabag in Sweden
The Austrian construction company is going to develop over 15,000 m² of residential and retail space. The project has a volume of SEK 600m (€ 67m) and will be completed in 2013.
June 16, 2011
austriamicrosystems Acquires US-based Company
The Styrian microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturer is going to buy 100% of the shares in an American light sensor supplier for $ 320m (€ 220m).
June 16, 2011
No Money from Al Jaber: Restructuring of Kneissl Has Failed
The last attempt to rescue the Tyrolian ski manufacturer has failed as majority owner Al Jaber has not transferred the € 2.1m necessary to continue business. The company will be liquidated.
June 15, 2011
Palmers on the Way Back to Black Figures
The Austrian lingerie group’s results are still negative due to the acquisition of Lejaby. An expansion of the Palmers brand is planned in Germany and CEE.
June 15, 2011
Hungary Considering Buyback of ÖBB’s Rail Cargo Hungaria
The Hungarian state is interested in acquiring a stake in the Austrian Federal Railways’ cargo subsidiary which it privatized in 2008.
June 14, 2011
Immofinanz Acquires Office Property in Warsaw
The Austrian real estate company already held 51% of the property and is now becoming the sole shareholder. The transaction includes the sale of another object to a project partner.
June 10, 2011
Verbund Evaluating Future Options for Sorgenia
The Austrian electricity company and its partner, the Milanese industrial holding CIR, will decide about the future shareholder structure of their joint venture.
June 9, 2011
ÖBB with Capital Injection for Its Italian Freight Business
The Austrian Federal Railways’ subsidiary Linea needs additional funding in order to cover its last year’s losses of € 5.8m.
June 9, 2011
Nuclear Power Phase-Out Will Cost Austria € 600m
According to calculations by E-Control, Germany’s decision to close down its nuclear power plants will affect the Austrian economy.
June 9, 2011
Trade with the Czech Republic Is Booming
Austrian companies increased their exports to the country by 32% in the first quarter of the year. In 2010, Austria was the biggest foreign investor.
June 9, 2011
New Motorway Order for Strabag in Romania
The Austrian construction company is going to build a motorway section between the cities of Orăştie and Sibiu. Order volume amounts to € 166m.
June 7, 2011
Swarovski to Invest in US Jewelry Retailer
The Tyrolean optics and crystal group is attracted by a global distribution network of 2,000 stores. The two companies already have a strategic partnership.
June 7, 2011
New Chance for Verbund in Turkey
The Austrian electricity company might win a contract for the power supply in three Turkish provinces after a competitor has withdrawn its bid.
June 6, 2011
Austrian Companies on Roadshow to New York
The 2nd Austrian Equity Day in New York, co-organized with Crédit Agricole Cheuvreux, will be held on Monday, 6 June 2011.
June 3, 2011
Charges against Former Board Members of BayernLB
Accusations relating to the acquisition of the Austrian Hypo Group: breach of duty, embezzlement of bank funds.
June 3, 2011
UniCredit and Raiffeisen Seek to Broker Bulgaria's EVN Stake Sale
Bulgaria is going to sell its minority stake in an electricity distributor operated by the Austrian energy company.
June 3, 2011
CA Immo Starts Work on Shopping Center in Frankfurt
The Austrian real estate group and its joint venture partner invest € 360m into the project. The opening will take place in fall 2013.
June 1, 2011
Hypo Alpe Adria to Sell its Italian Subsidiary
The Carinthian bank intends to divest its operations in the neighboring country. The subsidiary achieved a profit of € 10.82m in 2010.
June 1, 2011
Kneissl: Creditors Accept Restructuring Plans
Al Jaber has to pay € 2m into an escrow account before June 15. Otherwise, the Tyrolian company will be liquidated.
June 1, 2011
Agrana Interested in Hellenic Sugar
The Austrian sugar and starch company is said to be interested in an acquisition of the Greek company which incurred a loss of € 27.1m in the last year.
May 31, 2011
Austrian Companies Hit by Belarusian Crisis
RBI and Telekom Austria are evaluating the effects on their local subsidiaries. Exports to the country could drop by 30%.
May 27, 2011
OeKB Facilitates Austro-Russian Projects
A recently signed agreement will increase the cooperation between OeKB and Russian Vnesheconombank.
May 27, 2011
Swiss Expert Criticizes Austria’s Role in International Money Laundering
OECD expert: “Austria is used as a gateway for international money laundering. It is doing too little to fight the phenomenon.” Only twelve convictions were made in 2009.
May 26, 2011
Alpine Lands Pipeline Project in Czech Republic
The Austrian construction company is going to build 105.8 km of a new gas pipeline. The contract value is € 76.7m.
May 26, 2011
OMV: New CEO and Organizational Structure of Its Turkish Operations
Gülsüm Azeri is going to succeed Melih Türker as CEO of the Austrian oil and gas group’s Turkish operations.
May 25, 2011
France Telecom Evaluating Its Activities in Austria
The future of Orange Austria could be decided before October. The cooperation in networks might have been the first step towards a merger with T-Mobile Austria.
May 25, 2011
Alpine to Build Motorway in Romania
The Austrian construction company is going to build a motorway section for € 91m within a period of 22 months.
May 24, 2011
CA Immo Sold Two Shopping Centers in the Czech Republic
The Austrian real estate group and a Czech investor agreed on the sale of two malls for an amount of € 96m.
May 24, 2011
Novomatic Returns to Russia
The Austrian gaming machine manufacturer intends to cooperate with a Russian casino operator after it had to pull out of the country in 2009.
May 23, 2011
Strabag Takes Majority Stake in Project Companies for Offshore Wind Power Plants
The Austrian construction company acquires a 51% interest in a project portfolio with possible 850 locations in the German North Sea.
May 23, 2011
FACC: New Production Plant in China
The Austrian aircraft component manufacturer is planning the construction of a new site and considering going public soon.
May 23, 2011
Cheuvreux Closing Its Office in Vienna
The French investment bank is closing down its office in Vienna after three years. This has been confirmed by analyst Alfred Reisenberger.
May 20, 2011
Austrian Companies Are Looking for Opportunities in Russia
A delegation of 140 people pursues contacts with potential partners during the state visit of President Fischer. The country’s economy is predicted to grow by 4% in 2011.
May 19, 2011