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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
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
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
