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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

Austria's Trade Deficit with China Shrinks

Thanks to the rising export figures, the trade deficit in the traditionally negative balance with China is declining.

January 13, 2011

Slow upward trend in Austria's trade and handicrafts

For 2010, KMU-Forschung Austria expects slight sales increases. Support for research projects will be supported in future.

January 13, 2011

Harsh Criticism of Government by Junge Industrie

Junge Industrie (Young Industry) an interface organization of the Industriellenvereinigung (Industrialists’ Federation) criticizes particularly the pension policy.

January 13, 2011

WKÖ endorses policy of the European Commission

The Austrian Economic Chamber welcomes the focus of the EU Commission on structural reforms, consolidation of public finances and competitiveness.

January 13, 2011

Austrian Regional GDP Growth: Upper Austria Quotes Statistics

Gross regional product 2008: Upper and Lower Austria reached a nominal growth rate clearly above the national average

January 13, 2011

CEE Economic Growth Forecast: 3.8% in 2011

According to UniCredit, especially Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic and Estonia will bounce back impressively due to stronger industry and domestic demand.

January 13, 2011

Growth in Austria's Foreign Trade and Direct Investment

Austria's goods, services and capital transactions abroad grow strongly, a sign of solid recovery.

January 13, 2011

Auer-Welsbach Pleads Not Guilty

The former CEO of the Austrian AvW stays by his actions on the first day of his trial.

January 12, 2011

CEE: Raiffeisen Remains Optimistic

The analysts of the Austrian Raiffeisen International Bank give Austria and the CEE good growth prospects. However, there still remain known risks.

January 12, 2011

Strong Merger Growth in Austria

The number of mergers has increased in 2010 by 12%. The Federal Competition Commission reported 238 cases.

January 12, 2011

Rapid Increase in Exports to Emerging Markets

The Austrian export economy can benefit massively from the solid demand from Asian and South American emerging markets.

January 12, 2011

Insolvencies decline in Austria

Corporate insolvency proceedings fall by 5.9%, affecting more than 85,000 creditors. Creditreform considers there is still potential for lower figures.

January 11, 2011

AvW: Big Lawsuit because of Investment Fraud

One of the largest proceedings in Austrian economic history is being conducted against the former financial services provider AvW.

January 10, 2011

New Controversy over the Hypo Group

According to the investigators, there would be no connection between the Austrian bank and Gribkowsky, the former member of the board of BayernLB

January 10, 2011

Austrian Tourism Operators Continue to Invest Heavily

Investment in the tourism business is estimated at € 5.0bn for 2011. The previous year’s level will therefore be maintained.

January 10, 2011

Austrian Tobacco Industry Fears Cigarette Smuggling

According to the presently Japanese Austria Tabak, 20% of cigarettes are already smuggled. The tobacco tax is expected to increase this trend even more.

January 10, 2011

Recovery in Austria´s Labor Market Continues

The domestic labor market´s data for 2010 were better than expected. The number of job-seekers declined by 3.7%

January 8, 2011

Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorfer Reports Production Record

The paper manufacturing company reports increasing production numbers. However, sales are decreasing substantially

January 7, 2011

Austrian SME as a Source of Innovation

Austria's small and medium enterprises are, according to the Small and Medium-Sized Business report, the main driver for innovations.

January 7, 2011

Demands for Financial Transactions Tax

The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.

January 7, 2011

Additional Revenues for C-Quadrat

The Austrian investment fund C-Quadrat Investment AG earns additional revenues from performance fees in December 2010.

January 7, 2011

Strong Increase in Austrian Foreign Trade Figures

January to October 2010: imports and exports increased by more than 15%

January 6, 2011

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

JoWood Sues Former Shareholder

Vienna Stock Exchange listed JoWooD Entertainment AG today filed a law suit demanding payment of an amount of € 2.36m plus interest.

January 5, 2011

FMA Prohibits Speculative Elements in Savings Accounts

The Austrian Financial Market Authority FMA specifies the characteristics of savings certificates. The traditional savings account is to remain non-speculative

January 5, 2011

Commodity and Food Prices Rising

Austrian Wholesale price index in December 2010: +9.1% against December 2009; annual average 2010: +5.0% against 2009.

January 5, 2011

Downward Trend of Austrian Unemployment

Unemployment trend: Flash estimates for the fourth quarter of 2010 show an unemployment rate of 4.1%.

January 5, 2011

Demographic Development: a Future Challenge for Austria

The expected demographic development will increase expenditure in geriatric care in Austria.

January 5, 2011

MEL: Demand for Higher Quota against Meinl

A lawyer representing the investors calls for an increase of the quota on the occasion of the compromise between Meinl Bank and former MEL investors from 35% to 70%.

January 5, 2011

Black Economy is still Difficult to Control in Austria

About 14% of the economic product evades the Treasury in the Austrian economy, but experts say the trend is declining again.

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

Strong Sales Growth at RE/MAX

The real estate group RE/MAX increased its sales by 18.3% to € 795m in 2010 and was also able to expand its share of the market.

January 4, 2011

R&D: High Activities of Austrian Firms with Foreign Co-Investors

The OECD publishes its Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010 for Austria. 23% of R&D expenses are funded from abroad.

January 4, 2011

Social Justice shows High Levels in Austria

The Bertelsmann Foundation released a study on social justice issues in OECD countries. Austria is located among the top third.

January 4, 2011

Special Tax: Hungary Under Fire

Especially the Austrian economy criticizes the Hungarian special tax on large companies. The EU Commission has already started an investigation.

January 4, 2011

Sanochemia: Decrease in Sales, Decrease in Losses

The Vienna Stock Exchange listed manufacturer of pharmaceutical products could improve its results slighty.

January 3, 2011

Leitl Urges Implementation of Reform Plans

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber shows himself pleased by the economic data 2010 and urges the continuation of educational and administrative reforms.

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

Increase of Debts Slows Down at Asfinag

According to the Austrian motorway company Asfinag, austerity is slowly starting to show results.

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

13 CEOs Call For Sanctions Against Hungary

Because of the new taxes introduced by the Hungarian government, a group of prominent European CEOs call for EU-sanctions.

January 2, 2011

Austrian Unemployment Further Declines

Unemployment numbers go down specifically in the production sector. Long-term unemployment also declines over average.

January 2, 2011

Austrian Industry Remains on Growth Course

Bank Austria Purchasing Managers’ Index down slightly in November, but strong growth persists. Order intake increased as well as employment.

January 1, 2011

Austria's Minister of Social Affairs Wants to Extend the Years of Employment

Rudolf Hundstorfer wants to see older workers work longer, and is trying to get the consensus of businesses.

December 31, 2010

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

State Secretary for Finance: Euro-bonds as a Medium-term Strategy

The Austrian State Secretary for Finance, Andreas Schieder, does not discard Euro-bonds, against the majority view of German and Austrian politicians.

December 31, 2010

Massive Rise of Debt in the Public Sector

Austria's debt is rising dramatically. Not only the state budget, but also the provinces and municipalities are the major contributors to this situation.

December 31, 2010

Changes in Living Standard of Austrians

A WIFO study compares the required average working time of industrial workers to the purchase of goods and services over the passage of time.

December 31, 2010

Sales Drops in Austrian Construction Industry

The construction output value in building construction and engineering decreased by 3.5% from January to September 2010. The order situation is also deteriorating.

December 31, 2010

Profit Warning at S&T

The Q4 data of the Austrian software consulting company show negative operational results.

December 31, 2010