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Get the latest business news and analysis on the Austrian economy, including news on economic policies, foreign trade, financial developments and investments

Strong Increase in Sales at AT&S

The Austrian technology group records sales amounting to € 365m in the first nine months 2010, which is a plus of 34%.

January 26, 2011

Shortage of Skilled Labor in Medium-sized Enterprises

According to a report by Ernst & Young, the growth of two out of every three Austrian companies is hindered by the lack of qualified personal.

January 26, 2011

Palmers in the Red

The Austrian lingerie company has to accept operational losses in addition to an unprofitable acquisition.

January 26, 2011

Budget-saving Measures in Austria are Insufficient

According to the WIFO, budget deficit and public debt are lower than the EU average; central potential savings have been neglected however.

January 26, 2011

Vienna Insurance Group Shows 15% Increase in Profits

Significant plus of Group profit for the year (before taxes) by almost 15 percent to about € 505m. Increase of premiums written by 6.1 percent to € 8.7bn.

January 25, 2011

ÖIAG: Industrialist Beyrer is Favorite

In the discussion about the succession for the state holding company OIAG, the Secretary General of the IV (Federation of Austrian Industries), Markus Beyrer, is a favorite.

January 25, 2011

Germany: Largest Investor in Austria

Based on the number of new companies settling in Austria, Germany is the largest investor. More than 40% of the new arrivals come from the northern neighbor.

January 25, 2011

Atrium Repays Convertible Bond to Meinl

The American-Israeli real estate fund Atrium repays the 10.75% 2008 convertible bond to the Austrian Meinl Bank.

January 25, 2011

Austria's Growth Remains Dependent on Exports

The Austrian GDP will grow in real terms, according to WIFO, at an annual average of 2.2% per year between 2011-2015. The unemployment rate is expected to stagnate.

January 25, 2011

Austrian Production Rising Steeply

The Austrian Production index in November 2010: +6.5% over November 2009

January 25, 2011

Rise in Earnings for Palfinger

The Austrian crane manufacturer records a 29-percent plus in revenues for 2010. For 2011, the company shows an optimistic outlook.

January 25, 2011

Ruttenstorfer Fine Confirmed

The fine imposed to the CEO of Austrian OMV, Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, for market manipulation, remains standing.

January 22, 2011

Austria's Agricultural Exports Grow

Agricultural exports were able to recover, but have not reached yet the 2008 level.

January 22, 2011

Slight Slowdown of Austria’s Economy

According to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), economic growth slowed down temporarily at the turn of the year.

January 22, 2011

Record Results for Red Bull

The Austrian producer of energy drinks reached its best results ever in 2010 thanks to the markets in Turkey, Japan and Brazil.

January 22, 2011

"Conversations about the Future" between Austrian and Canadian IT companies

The Austrian IT industry, motivated by Canadian success models, intends to strengthen its role in the domestic economy significantly.

January 22, 2011

Expansion of Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and Austria

Cooperation with the Kazakhstan Development Bank intends to boost economic relations with the third-largest CIS trading partner.

January 22, 2011

Atrium Intends to Clarify Purported Event of Default

After the statement of the Austrian Meinl Bank to sue the real estate fund Atrium because of a “default of payment”, Atrium announces its point of view.

January 22, 2011

Meinl Bank: New Attacks Against Atrium

The dispute between the Austrian bank and the American-Israeli real estate fund is getting fiercer. Meinl is calling a bond.

January 21, 2011

Generali Austria: Optimism for 2011

The Italian insurance company shows itself satisfied with the previous year's results in Austria and looks forward to 2011 with confidence.

January 21, 2011

EU: New Early Warning System Against Financial Market Risks

Two Austrian officials point out the relevance of the new institution, which will particularly benefit Austria.

January 21, 2011

Industrial Producer Prices Up by 4.2%

According to Statistics Austrian, the industrial producer price index in November 2010 went up by +4.2% compared to November 2009.

January 21, 2011

Pricing Agreements in Austria's Transport Industry

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority has ncovered two shipping cartels involving several well-known carriers.

January 21, 2011

12% of Austrian Population at Risk of Poverty

Europe 2020 strategy against risk-of-poverty and exclusion: Every sixth person in Austria is in target population.

January 21, 2011

Agrana: Successful Completion of Campaigns

Agrana completed the sugar beet campaign at the sugar processing plant in Tulln|Lower Austria and, therefore, the 2010|2011 processing season at all of its facilities.

January 21, 2011

Polytec Reduced Net Financial Debt by more than 50%

The Austrian component supplier closed an agreement about the repayment of the restructuring loan and records a strong increase in profitability in 2010.

January 21, 2011

Austria's AAA Credit Rating Confirmed

The U.S. rating agency Moody's confirms the Republic of Austria’s Triple-A rating. The outlook remains "stable".

January 21, 2011

Viennese Economic Chamber Demands Tax Relief for SMEs

The President of the Viennese Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, presents a three-stage relief model for small and medium-sized enterprises.

January 20, 2011

Pröll is Against the Extension of the Euro Shield

The Austrian Finance Minister, Josef Pröll (ÖVP), called for stricter budget discipline and pronounces himself against a more extensive rescue shield

January 20, 2011

austriamicrosystems Reports Increase in Revenues

austriamicrosystems reports preliminary unaudited financial information for full year and fourth quarter 2010.

January 20, 2011

WKÖ Expects further Rise in Energy Prices

Due to the economic recovery, the Austrian Economic Chamber forsees further increases in oil prices. However, there also exists some saving potential.

January 20, 2011

Vienna International Airport: +8.7% Passengers During 2010

The strongest increase has been recorded in passenger traffic to Eastern Europe and to the Middle East. For 2011, the company expects a 5.0% increase.

January 20, 2011

Tax Treaty between Austria and Germany

Austria and Germany sign a revision protocol on double taxation agreements to implement the OECD standards of transparency and effective exchange of information.

January 19, 2011

Demand to Unburden Business Founders

The Austrian Economic Chamber demands the creation of tax and corporate law unburdening for company founders.

January 19, 2011

Oberbank is Expanding

Oberbank boss Franz Gasselberger has big plans. The branch network will be expanded this year by eight new branches to 150. The banker’s focus of expansion is Vienna.

January 19, 2011

Reform Backlog Prevents Austria Being a Success Model

The chairman of the WIFO, Karl Aiginger considers that Austria’s future capital has been gambled away because of lack of reforms. The EU, however, is "not on track" either.

January 19, 2011

SBO: Increase in Profits by 79%

The Austrian Oilfield equipment manufacturer Schoeller-Bleckmann (SBO) announces increasing sales as well as profits.

January 18, 2011

Hungary: Calls for Boycotts against Foreign Companies in Hungary

A Hungarian initiative demands that 13 foreign companies be boycotted, including Austrian OMV

January 18, 2011

OMV Pulls its Staff out of Tunisia

Due to the recent developments in Tunisia, the Austrian OMV pulls back to a large extent. The cardboard manufacturer Mayr-Melnhof stays on.

January 18, 2011

Federation of Trade Unions Calls for "Tax Justice"

A new debate is sparking off in Austria, and possibly also a tax reform. The Gewerkschaftsbund (ÖGB, Federation of Trade Unions) wants workers to be tax-unburdened.

January 18, 2011

Austrian Construction Costs up by 3.2% in 2010

Construction cost index 2010: increase of all three construction branches in annual comparison.

January 18, 2011

Bank Taxes: „Job Cuts or Price Increase”

According to Michael Ikrath, bank representative of the “Sparkassen”, the new charges for Austrian banks are the highest in Europe.

January 17, 2011

Treichl: Massive Criticism on Austrian Government

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group criticizes the Austrian Government for its fiscal and structural policy. 2011 would be the last chance for reforms.

January 16, 2011

Recovery slows down in Austria

The Bank Austria Business Indicator sees the recovery slowing down. The manufacturing industry shows itself optimistic, consumers a little more subdued.

January 15, 2011

Austria's wind Energy Expands

After years of stagnation, capacities for wind energy are now being expanded again. IG Windkraft considers that subsidies are too low.

January 15, 2011

Poland is a Big Opportunity for Austria's Export Economy

The Austrian Economic Chamber sees tremendous opportunities for the local export industry. The construction industry could particularly benefit from the boom in Poland.

January 15, 2011

Austria's Funds Showed a Plus in 2010

2010 was another year of gains for Austrian funds: of 1601 funds, 1464, showed a positive performance.

January 15, 2011

AMS Expects Marked Relaxation of the Labor Market by 2013

The Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS, Labor Market Service) foresees a significant increase in labor supply on the Austrian labor market. Unemployment will stagnate.

January 15, 2011

Only Slight Increase in Austrian Minimum Wages

Index of Agreed Minimum Wages 2010: low increase due to economic crisis.

January 15, 2011

Inflation Increased up to 2.2% in Austria

The Consumer Price Inflation (HICP) increased up to 2.2 % in December 2010. This was mainly due to energy prices.

January 15, 2011