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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
WIFO and IHS Foresee Economic Weakness

The two major Austrian Economic Research Institutes, WIFO and IHS, expect an economic slowdown in 2011.
January 5, 2011


Former Member of the Board of BayernLB Arrested

Gerhard Gribkowsky, whose foundation in Austria was concealed to the German judiciary and is now known, is in custody
January 5, 2011


Bank Tax in Poland?

The Polish government is considering levying taxes on banks already in 2011. From the Austrian perspective, Raiffeisen Bank International would be affected.
January 5, 2011


Hypo Group: Little Enlightment Expected from Grasser and Berlin

The Chairman of the Inquiry Committee on the Hypo Group expects little gain of information by the summons of Karl-Heinz Grasser and Tilo Berlin.
January 4, 2011


Poor Outlook for Creditors of SkyEurope

The Austrian-Slovakian airline, which became insolvent in 2009, will only reach a quota of 16%.
January 4, 2011


Kneissl: Insolvency Seems Inevitable

The traditional Austrian ski producer Kneissl, owned by the Arab investor Al Jaber, did not pay its mature liabilities for months.
January 3, 2011


Secret Foundation of BayernLB in Austria

In the hearings on the purchase of Austria's Hypo Group, a former Member of the Board of BayernLB concealed the existence of a foundation in Austria.
January 3, 2011


New Responsibilities for the Financial Market Authority

As of 2011, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has to face new challenges. The focus is on the fight against money laundering.
January 3, 2011


Experts: No Failures in the Austrian Labor Market

The last hurdles for the new EU-members to enter the Austrian labor market will fall in May 2011. However, even the unions has no concerns.
January 3, 2011


VBI Romania is a Source of Worries for ÖVAG

Volksbank International (VBI) is to be sold by the Austrian Volksbanken Group. The Romanian subsidiary keeps the group from doing so.
December 31, 2010


Billion Worth Qatar Holding Explores Investment Opportunities

The Austrian economy expects closer relations and potential export opportunities as the result of the state visit of the Emir of Qatar.
December 30, 2010


Stronach Sells Shares to Magna

The founder and long-time Chairman of the board of the Austria-Canadian Magna Group, Frank Stronach, only holds 5.14% now.
December 30, 2010


Polytec Sells Italian Subsidiary

Today Polytec Holding AG signed an agreement to sell 100% of the shares of Polytec Composites Italia (PCI) to Industrie Metallvakuum Ranger S.p.a. (IMR).
December 29, 2010


Tourists from Russia Increase

The number of Russian guests in Austria continues on the rise. A double-digit growth might even be possible again.
December 28, 2010


Czech Railways Considers to Acquire ÖBB-Railjets

The Austrian Federal Railways doesn´t want to exercise its option to buy further Railjets from Siemens.
December 28, 2010


AUA has to Cancel Flight to the U.S.

Persistent snowstorms in the eastern United States, have forced Austrian Airlines to cancel a flight to New York, as local airports there are closed.
December 27, 2010


Economic Chamber Criticizes Import Control System

According to the WKÖ, Austrian businesses incur additional costs and bureaucracy by the import control system.
December 27, 2010


NXP Sells Sound Solutions Business

The major electronic company NXP moves to the Styrian Gratkorn. The former Philips-subsidiary has sold its division for speakers located in Vienna, Austria.
December 26, 2010


Merger Between Bwin and PartyGaming Finished

The common company, bwin.party digital entertainment, will be the world’s largest publicly listed online gaming provider.
December 24, 2010


Raiffeisen Negotiates over Polbank

The Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) negotiates actively for the Polish Polbank.
December 23, 2010


Porr: Turkish stake might increase

The Turkish Renaissance Group currently holds a 10% stake in Austria's third-largest construction group. This share could be increased significantly.
December 23, 2010


Austria's Export Economy is Booming

Given the high growth rates in the past year, the Austrian export economy shows itself also optimistic for 2011.
December 22, 2010


OMV Closes Acquisition of 54.14% in Petrol Ofisi

OMV, an Austrian energy group, completed the acquisition of a 54.14% stake in Petrol Ofisi A.S.
December 22, 2010


Verbund Starts Restructuring in France

The Austrian energy company takes full control of the Poweo production subsidiary Poweo Production S.A.S.
December 22, 2010


Change in Magna´s Management

The Austrian-Canadian component supplier announces a change in its Board of Directors. Belinda Stronach leaves.
December 22, 2010


Austrian Official Debt Level Rises

Due to the EU-wide commitment to a more transparent presentation of liabilities, the official debt ratio of Austria will continue to increase.
December 21, 2010


WIFI trains Russian leaders

The Austrian Institute for Economic Promotion (WIFI) functions as a partner of the Russian government in the framework of the management training program
December 21, 2010


Order for Over € 100m for Voestalpine

The Austrian steel company receives an order for over € 100m by Daimler Trucks.
December 20, 2010


New Project in Poland for Atrium

Atrium strengthens polish portfolio with € 168.5m acquisition of a shopping centre in Warsaw.
December 20, 2010


French SNCF Participates in Westbahn Project

The French National Railways acquire a stake of 25% in the Haselsteiner project.
December 17, 2010


Austrian Economic Chamber focuses Growth Market China

Minister of Economy Mitterlehner presented together with the President of the Economic Camber, Leitl, strategies for the export market China.
December 17, 2010


WKÖ: EU patent to stimulate Austrian innovation

The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) welcomes the enhanced cooperation for the EU-wide patent and hopes to obtain benefits for the domestic economy.
December 16, 2010


More Employees in Austria, Purchasing Power and Taxes Remain High.

Austria records an employment increase of 1.2%. Purchasing power and taxes are above the international average.
December 15, 2010


SIS to be Sold to Atos Origin

The French Atos Origin Acquired Siemens IT Solutions and Services, both companies expect synergy effects. Drastic job cuts in Vienna are feared.
December 15, 2010


Russia Reaches for Volksbank International

VBI, the holding company for the Eastern interests of the Österreichischen Volksbanken, is for sale. Russian parties are interested.
December 15, 2010


JCL Logistics and Rail Cargo Austria Step into Strategic Alliance

Both logistics companies agree to establish a cooperation in groupage service. Their common target is to reach synergies in their transport network.
December 15, 2010


Austrian Economic Chamber is Against Euro-Bonds

Chamber President Leitl calls for an in-depth cooperation in economic policy instead of euro-bonds.
December 15, 2010


Cooperation Between Korean LG and Austrian Zumtobel

LG Innotek and Zumtobel Group conclude LED cooperation agreement.
December 15, 2010


Madoff Affair: Accused Defend Themselves

The accused Sonja Kohn and Stefan Zapotocky defend themselves vehemently against accusations and allegations. Both are, according to the accusation, part of the Madoff system.
December 14, 2010


New Logistics Center for Gebrüder Weiss in Romania

The logistics company Gebrüder Weiss has entrusted the construction of a logistics center in Sibiu to the Unger Steel Group as general contractor again.
December 14, 2010


Madoff Proceedings: Billion Lawsuit against Bank Austria

The former chairman of Bank Medici, Sonja Kohn, is said to have managed the Madoff system for years. A lawsuit has been filed from the US.
December 13, 2010


Lenzing Expands Fiber Production Capacity

The Lenzing Group, an Austrian actor in man-made cellulose fibers, sets the course for the future expansion of its fiber production capacity.
December 13, 2010


Nowotny: No Euro-bonds Yet

Although he supports the euro-bonds in principle, the time has not come yet for the Governor of the Austrian National Bank.
December 10, 2010


Corruption in Austria: 9% Pay Bribes

Austria follows the international trend of growing corruption. 25% are ready to pay bribes worldwide.
December 10, 2010


Mayr-Melnhof: Bankruptcy in Switzerland

The Austrian manufacturer of packaging materials is preparing bankruptcy proceedings for the Swiss sawmill in Ems.
December 8, 2010


Strabag Hopes for Projects in Russia

Russia will hold the 2018 World Cup, expected to be the most expensive of all times. Numerous construction projects will be awarded.
December 8, 2010


Turkey: Verbund Fails in Privatization

The Austrian-Turkish joint venture was unable to participate in the privatization of the Turkish power grids. The Group's objectives remain valid nonetheless.
December 8, 2010


High Expectations about the New AUA Chairman

The Frenchman Thierry Antinori, is to complete successfully for Lufthansa the restructuring of the Austrian subsidiary.
December 8, 2010


Bavaria: "Hypo-Sale was Correct"

The issue Hypo Alpe Adria preoccupies not only the Austrian justice: Bavaria's Prime Minister Horst Seehofer defended the sale to Austria.
December 8, 2010


Strong Growth in Foreign Trade

In the first nine months, Austria imported goods for € 82.45bn (+14.8%). Exports increased by 5.8% to € 79.69bn.
December 8, 2010