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

EVN Expands in Bulgaria

The Austrian electricity company invested € 5m in the construction of a solar power station in Bulgaria and increased its stake in a joint venture project in the country.

July 21, 2011

Immofinanz Generated New Funds in Russia

The Austrian real estate company reached an agreement on the refinancing of its logistics center in St. Petersburg. The new funds will be invested in further projects in Russia.

July 21, 2011

German Rail Cartel: Increasing Pressure on voestalpine

The German Federal Cartel Office made new inspections at a local subsidiary of the Austrian steel company. According to press reports, price fixing on the German rail market continued until 2011.

July 20, 2011

Hypo Alpe Adria Opens New Branches in Italy

The Carinthian bank is expanding its business in the neighboring country although the subsidiary will soon be in the hands of a new owner.

July 19, 2011

Verbund Sold Renewables Portfolio to Axa Private Equity

The Austrian electricity company disposed of Poweo’s renewable energy business as a step towards restructuring of its portfolio in France.

July 19, 2011

SensorDynamics Acquired by Maxim

The Styrian semiconductor company was sold to Nasdaq-listed Maxim Integrated Products. The American group will pay approximately $ 130m (€ 92.3m).

July 19, 2011

Stress Test: Erste Group and Raiffeisen Passed, Volksbank Failed

Volksbanken Group is the only Austrian bank that failed the stress test. Taking into account the measures that are currently being implemented, the core tier I ratio would be above the benchmark.

July 15, 2011

Gerhard Niesslein Becomes CEO of Orascom Development Holding

The Swiss-based town developer appoints Austrian Gerhard Niesslein as new CEO of the Group. Samih Sawiris remains Executive Chairman focusing on the firm's strategic development.

July 15, 2011

Erste Group Provided Financing for Hospital in Warsaw

The € 32m acquisition financing is the first private hospital financing in CEE of that size which has been closed by Erste Group and also a first in Poland for the bank.

July 15, 2011

VBAG and Sberbank Agree on Sale of VBI

After several months of negotiations the two banks have agreed on the main conditions of the sale of Volksbank International. The deal will be closed by the end of this year.

July 15, 2011

Austrian High Q Technologies Sold to US Company

The Austrian manufacturer of lasers is acquired by Californian Newport, a global supplier of advanced products and solutions in several technology fields.

July 14, 2011

Strabag Becomes Sole Shareholder of German Möbius

The Austrian construction company further expands its position in the German hydraulic engineering sector. A majority stake in Möbius had been acquired in 2007 already.

July 14, 2011

German LBBW Starts Sale of Property Portfolio – conwert Interested

An acquisition of the real estate portfolio is not affordable for the Austrian group. However, it might enter a partnership and take over the asset management.

July 13, 2011

OMV Announces Re-Development of Schiehallion Oil Field

A joint venture including the Austrian oil and gas company will spend € 3bn on a major re-development of the Schiehallion oil field to the west of the Shetland Islands.

July 13, 2011

OMV Closes Acquisition of Petronas Carigali

The Austrian oil and gas company purchased the exploration and production entity of Petronas in Pakistan. Strong growth potential is expected in the country.

July 12, 2011

Binder+Co Takes Over Italian Mechanical Engineering Company

Through the acquisition, the Austrian machine and plant manufacturer enlarges its portfolio and expands its sales network in the Mediterranean region.

July 12, 2011

Austria’s Exposure in Italy: € 16.5bn

Domestic banks’ exposure in the neighboring country is much greater than in Greece, but smaller than in Eastern Europe.

July 11, 2011

Strong Development of Exports in Austrian Machinery Industry

In the first three months of the year, Austrian enterprises exported machinery and metalware for € 6.04bn. Germany is the main trading partner of the industry.

July 11, 2011

Austrian dynaTrace Acquired by US Company

The global technology leader in APM solutions has been taken over by American Compuware. The transaction price amounts to $ 256m.

July 11, 2011

Palfinger Takes Over Russian Inman

The Austrian crane manufacturer acquires its leading Russian competitor. Inman will generate revenue of € 20m this year.

July 11, 2011

European Stress Test Results to Be Published on July 15

The test performance of 91 participating banks will be available next week. According to Moody’s, Austrian Volksbanken AG is at risk of failing the test.

July 8, 2011

OMV’s Petrom Makes Significant Gas Discovery

The Austrian energy group’s subsidiary made a gas discovery in Romania. Further appraisal drilling is planned to assess what may be the most important onshore gas discovery in the country in the last six years.

July 7, 2011

OTP Bank Shows Interest in Volksbank International

The Austrian Volksbanken AG found a second potential buyer for its Eastern European subsidiary. The Hungarian OTP bank wants to expand into the markets where VBI has a presence.

July 7, 2011

Plansee Group Achieved Sales Record

The Austrian provider of metallurgically manufactured products increased revenue by 46%. A new factory near Shanghai is scheduled to start operation in 2012.

July 7, 2011

S Immo Increases the Occupancy Rate of its Hungarian Portfolio

The Austrian real estate company’s Hungarian subsidiary leased out nearly 4,000 m² in the heart of Budapest. The vacancy rate was reduced to below 9%.

July 7, 2011

Casinos Austria Withdraw from Project in Liechtenstein

The Austrian gaming group had applied for the only casino concession in the principality. It now decided to give up its plans due to widely differing ideas of its partner.

July 6, 2011

Contractual Penalty for Kapsch in Poland

The Austrian technology group did not manage to finish work on an electronic toll collection system in time. Thus, the company will have to pay a contractual penalty.

July 6, 2011

Austrian Companies to Participate in Russian Research Center

The planned technology park will be home to up to 40,000 researchers. Twenty Austrian companies have expressed interest in participating in the project.

July 5, 2011

Sale of VBI to Be Signed in July

The Austrian Volksbanken Group and Sberbank have come close to an agreement on the sale of the Eastern European bank. The transaction price will be € 700m.

July 5, 2011

VIG Interested in Acquisition of Polish Warta Insurance

The Austrian insurance company might strengthen its position in the Polish market with the acquisition of a local company.

July 4, 2011

RHI: Plans for New Plant in the US

The Austrian producer of refractory materials intends to open a new factory in the US. In the long run, bricks for the North American market will be produced locally.

July 4, 2011

Verbund: Speculations about Increase in Sorgenia Stake

The Austrian electricity company might sell its shares in Poweo and instead acquire its joint venture partner’s stake in Sorgenia.

July 1, 2011

voestalpine is the Leniency Applicant in the German Rail Cartel

The Austrian steel company applied for leniency in the case of anti-competitive practices in the German rail tracks market. The group expects to be exempted from any fines.

July 1, 2011

Moody’s Gives Negative Outlook for Carinthia

Austria’s southernmost province received a negative outlook due to an increasing budget deficit, high debt and credit guarantees for Hypo Alpe Adria.

July 1, 2011

Kapsch TrafficCom Makes Important Step in Russia

A joint venture of the Austrian technology group has made it to the final stage of a tendering process for a Russian highway project.

July 1, 2011

Successful Start for RBI’s Direct Bank Zuno in Slovakia

18,000 Slovak customers have deposited a total amount of € 125m in the first six months since the bank entered the market in December 2010.

June 30, 2011

RBI: Acquisition of Polbank Stake Advancing

The Austrian bank has received anti-trust approval of the deal. Closing and operational merger are expected in Q4/2011 or Q1/2012.

June 30, 2011

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