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

Russian Fund Accuses RZB of Money Laundering

The Russian fund Hermitage Capital, which has been at loggerheads with the Russian authorities for years owing to a major tax fraud case, now accuses the Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) for having aided and abetted the money laundering.

September 14, 2010

Magna - Siegfried Wolf to leave in November

Magna International Inc. today announced that Siegfried Wolf, Magna's Co-Chief Executive Officer, has resigned as a director and officer effective November 15, 2010.

September 13, 2010

EVN building cogeneration plant in Plovdiv/Bulgaria

Today, Prime Minister Bokyo Borissov, Provincial Governor Erwin Pröll and EVN's CEO Burkhard Hofer oversaw the ceremony for the construction of a highly efficient cogeneration plant in the city of Plovdiv.

September 13, 2010

The American Chamber of Commerce in Austria is celebrating its 50th Anniversary

For over 50 years AmCham Austria has been promoting economic and trade relations between Austria and the United States of America.

September 13, 2010

Austria stays among the top three foreign investors of the Czech Republic

After the deep slump of the Austrian-Czech foreign trade during the crisis year 2009 by approximately 20%, things are going up steeply again.

September 13, 2010

XXXLutz takes over Slovenia's largest furniture retailer

The furniture store XXXLutz recently took over Slovenia’s largest furniture retailer Lesnina.

September 10, 2010

Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank - The new Group Press Officer

Dominic Köfner to take on the role of Group Press Officer for Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG (HGAA)

September 9, 2010

Slovakia increases VAT temporarily

As soon as the budget is back on its feet, the tax will be 19 percent again, according to Prime Minister Iveta Radicova. A deficit of up to eight percent is forecast for 2010.

September 9, 2010

Zotter intends to conquer German cities

The Styrian chocolate maker Josef Zotter wants to open chocolate shops in the German cities of Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. He is currently looking for experienced franchise partners.

September 9, 2010

Riedel opens office in Shanghai

Georg Riedel, head of family-owned glass maker Riedel, has announced plans to put more focus on the firm’s investment in China.

September 6, 2010

Opel - Plant in Vienna Aspern provides EUR 10.6 million per year to Germany

The staff of the automotive plant of General Motors in Aspern provides around EUR 10.6m p.a. for the reorganization of German car producer Opel

September 3, 2010

CA Immo International completes first phase of DIY store OBI in Romania

Construction phase one of the retail development project in Sibiu has been concluded - DIY store OBI opens with 9,700 sqm of usable space.

September 2, 2010

Magna - Plan of arrangement completed

Magna's plan of arrangement to eliminate Magna's dual-class share structure has been completed.

September 1, 2010

OMV to cover 9 percent of Romanian energy demand

The gas-fuelled power plant Brazi in Romania of Austrian energy group OMV is going to be ready by autumn 2011 and will then produce enough energy to cover 9 percent of the Romanian energy demand.

August 30, 2010

Strabag sells joint venture share to Sberbank

Strabag sold its 49 percent share of the housing-development joint venture to the Russian Sberbank.

August 23, 2010

Hungary gives bank tax its blessing

The new Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will not abandon the highly controversial tax, as decided in Parliament.

July 22, 2010

Constantia Packaging subsidiary with acquisition in Spain

A 100-percent subsidiary of the packaging manufacturer Constantia Packaging AG, which was incorporated a few weeks by the U.S. financial investor One Equity Partners (OEP) is buying in Spain.

July 21, 2010

Banks' equity - "Basel III costs 46 000 jobs"

The stricter rules for the equity of banks will reduce lending by up to 20 percent, says the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna.

July 21, 2010

Telekom Austria's verifies sale to Russian MTS

Telekom Austria (TA) checks on behalf of the Finance Ministry its own sale to the Russian telecom company MTS.

July 20, 2010

Andritz receives major order for new stainless steel works from China

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Fujian Fuxin Special Steel Co. Ltd. to supply major components and systems for a new stainless steel plant in Fujian Province, China.

July 20, 2010

East-Europe Bank - "Hungary carries risks of infection"

The proposed bank tax against the wishes of the IMF is not a good sign, says the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

July 20, 2010

EVN - Majority of Bulgarian Gorna Arda is sought

Lower Austrian electricity company plans to acquire 70 percent of a hydroelectric project.

July 20, 2010

EURO - Confidence returns

Patient Euro is on the road to recovery. Europe's debt crisis and the financial problems mainly of Greece greatly affected the exchange rate earlier this year. Now, the Euro regains strength. After the low of $1.18, the Euro recovered step by step rising

July 16, 2010

Defying EU fusion reactors

According to calculations of the Green Party Federal Councillor Elisabeth Kerschbaum the project costs Austria €158m.

July 15, 2010

Vienna Stock Exchange buys 16.5 percent stake of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange

The Vienna stock exchange holding company, CEE Stock Exchange Group (CEESEG AG), has made some arrangements with minority shareholders of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange to purchase the remaining shares of its Slovenian subsidiary.

July 15, 2010

Andritz Hydro to supply propeller turbines for Lower Mattagami hydropower project, Canada

International technology Group Andritz has been awarded a contract by Kiewit-Alarie a Partnership to supply three propeller turbines and generators for the Lower Mattagami River Project being developed by Ontario Power Generation in Ontario, Canada.

July 13, 2010