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

bwin.party received licence in Germany

The British-Austrian betting company is allowed to operate online sports betting in the Northern German province of Schleswig-Holstein.

May 24, 2012

Immofinanz Expands in Germany

The Austrian real estate group launches first internal development project in Germany with construction project at Düsseldorf Airport.

May 24, 2012

Austrian Industrial Sector Pushes for Austerity

The Federation of Austrian Industries sees still a huge potential to reduce public expenses and underlines the importance of the industrial sector.

May 22, 2012

Fekter: Hollande´s Suggestions are “Nonsense”

Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger and Finance Minister Fekter are strictly against the introduction of Eurobonds and any amendments of the Fiscal Treaty.

May 22, 2012

Immofinanz: Takeover of Rostokino in Moscow Finalised

Following the approval by the Russian antitrust authorities, the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Golden Babylon Rostokino shopping center by Immofinanz Group was finalised on 16 May.

May 21, 2012

Downsizing Program at Hypo Tirol

After the major losses in 2011, the Austrian regional bank is obliged to withdraw from Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

May 19, 2012

Austrian Interest Rate Reaches a Record Low

The interest rates for German and Austrian sovereign bonds are as deep as never before. Thus, in Europe, the gap widens further.

May 18, 2012

Baxter Enlarges Viennese Site

The U.S. pharmaceutical group makes investments of € 30m in Vienna. The start of operation of a new production facility is planned in 2014.

May 18, 2012

Lam Research Expands in Austria

The U.S. company opens a new research laboratory in Villach (Carinthia) and thus makes a clear commitment to its Austrian operations.

May 18, 2012

Congresses: Vienna Ranks First

Vienna is still number one worldwide in cities hosting international congresses. The U.S. takes first in the country category.

May 18, 2012

Bank Secret: EU Commission is Frustrated

The European Commission is dissatisfied with Austria´s and Luxembourg´s blockage of the interest taxation directive.

May 16, 2012

Austria´s Bank Secret Endangered

„I will withstand.“ Maria Fekter, Austria´s Minister of Finance said. The resistance against the EU directive on the taxation of interest will not be given up, Fekter reaffirmed.

May 15, 2012

AT&S Expands in the U.S.

The Austrian printed circuit board manufacturer opens second US office.

May 14, 2012

Passenger Growth: Vienna Airport Ranks Second

Regarding growth in number of passengers, only Copenhagne Airport could record a higher increase than Vienna Airport.

May 14, 2012

Cerberus May Sell Bawag

Five years ago, the U.S. investment fund Cerberus acquired the financially stricken Austrian Bawag bank. Next week, the retention period expires.

May 12, 2012

„Combining Austerity and Growth Measures“

The Austrian Minister of Economics and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claim a European growth strategy without turning down austerity policies.

May 11, 2012

AUA: Leaving Pilots May Cost up to € 80m

The transfer of undertakings at Austrian Airlines is irrevocable, the management points out. In case of a lack in pilots, Lufthansa and Swiss would close the gap.

May 11, 2012

Commerzbank Has Growth Plans in Austria

The German commercial bank wants to become number one in Austria. At the moment every second big company is a customer at Commerzbank.

May 11, 2012

ATB Records Mixed Results

In spite of stagnating revenues the Austrian subsidiary of Wolong Group recorded an increase of 50% in operating results. Net income was down, though.

May 11, 2012

T-Mobile Austria Posts Stable Results

The Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom published its results for the first quarter of 2012. Revenues and EBITDA remained stable.

May 10, 2012

Constant Rise in Austrian Research Spending

Austrian spending on research and development is set to increase by 4.2% in 2012 to reach € 8.6bn.

May 10, 2012

Strong Growth at Palfinger

Revenue and EBIT increased by another 17 per cent. The Austrian crane manufacturer expects a moderate growth trend in 2012.

May 10, 2012

Lufthansa Considers Selling AUA

There seems to be no end to the turbulences at Austrian Airlines. The owner, the German Lufthansa, considers selling AUA in case of a failed restructuring.

May 9, 2012

Raiffeisen Against Bank Insolvency Act

The Austrian government announced to introduce a bank insolvency act in summer. Raiffeisen wants a European solution.

May 9, 2012

Orange Takeover: T-Mobile Claims Legal Restraints

According to the Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, the takeover of the third-largest Austrian telecommunication service provider would lead to a distortion of competitions.

May 8, 2012

bwin.party Expands in California

The Austrian-British gambling company achieved an online poker agreement in California

May 8, 2012

Austria Emphasizes Importance of Partnership with Russia

Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.

May 8, 2012

Global Demand for Solar Technology from Austria

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is currently home to the world's largest solar thermal plant. The technology behind this plant came from Austria.

May 8, 2012

AUA: Last Chance for Workforce

Austrian Airline´s works council tries to prevent the already resolved transfer of undertakings to Tyrolean. AUA´s management does not want to re-negotiate again.

May 7, 2012

VTB Continues Growth Course

The Austrian subsidiary of the Russian VTB Bank registered a 39.8% growth in net income. Total assets grew by 43%.

May 7, 2012

Century Casinos Records Rising Earnings

The New York and Vienna-listed Century Casinos, Inc. announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Operating income was up slightly.

May 7, 2012

AUA to Offer More Flights to USA

After having implemented the austerity package, Austrian Airlines wants to expand. Above all, more flights to the U.S. will be offered.

May 5, 2012

Leitl: „EU Needs Budget Consolidation and Growth Measures“

The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claims to create a European fund in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

May 5, 2012

Immofinanz Expands Investor Base

In order to gain U.S. investors, the Austrian real estate company started an American Depositary Receipt program.

May 4, 2012

Albrecht Wants Common Collective Agreement

After the transfer of undertakings, the CEO of Austrian Airlines aims to create a collective agreement for the whole workforce. Further cuts are not excluded.

May 4, 2012

Decent Growth in Austrian Retail Trade Sector

Sales rose by 2.3% for Austrian retail trade in the first quarter 2012.

May 4, 2012

Austrians in the Centre of the Global IT Industry

The first Austrian companies from the IT industry are currently in California as part of the "Go Silicon Valley 2012" technology initiative.

May 3, 2012

New Record Loss at AUA

Bad news for Austrian Airlines: the result from operating activities reaches € -66.7m. AUA refers to higher kerosene prices and the air travel tax. Nevertheless, the turnaround should be reached in 2013.

May 3, 2012

Austrian Unemployment Still Lowest in EU

The EU unemployment rate rose to 10.9% in March 2012 from 9.9% the year before. Since 2000, taxes on labor rose dramatically in Austria.

May 2, 2012

Major Order at TGW by U.S. Gap Inc.

The U.S. specialty apparel retailer Gap Inc selects the Austrian TGW Systems to manage their residual carton handling operation.

May 2, 2012

U.S. Delegation Impressed by Austrian Urban Technologies

“Austria is probably 10 years ahead of the U.S. in regard to urban planning and implemented technologies,” was the credo heard from visiting U.S. experts on urban planning when visiting Austria in April 2012.

May 2, 2012

CA Immo Focuses on Berlin

The Austrian real estate group sees high demand and low supply in the German capital´s property market. In 2012, investment volume reached € 245m in Frankfurt and Berlin.

May 2, 2012

Unemployment Rises by 6.7%

In Austria, the number of unemployed persons rose up to 321,817 in April. Simultaneously, employment reaches a new record level.

May 1, 2012

Cross Industries Still in the Red

Due to interest expenses, the Austrian industrial holding company recorded losses of € 4.5m after € 4.8m in 2010.

April 30, 2012

Raiffeisen Bank International Closes Acquisition of Polbank

The Provisional purchase price is € 460m in cash for a 70 per cent stake in the Polish private bank. RBI becomes number 6 in the Polish banking market.

April 30, 2012

AUA´s Workforce May Decide Against New Collective Agreement

After months of heated debates, the works council and the management agreed on a new collective agreement. The aircrew must approve the agreement.

April 28, 2012

Strabag: Haselsteiner Underlines Importance of Russia

In 2007, the Austrian construction company announced to establish its third core market in Russia. However, Strabag is still far from that.

April 28, 2012

CA Immo Expands in Munich

The Austrian real estate company has a new tenant in office building in Munich's Arnulfpark.

April 27, 2012

Conwert Establishes Joint Venture in Germany

The Austrian real estate company expands in Germany. Sales volume of the construction project in Bamberg is estimated to reach € 100m.

April 27, 2012

AMAG Starts Investment Program

The Austrian aluminum company invests € 220m in the enlargement of the main site in Ranshofen, Upper Austria. RLB Upper Austria now holds a 16.5% stake.

April 26, 2012