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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 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
Investment Inhibition in Austrian Companies
The investment situation of Austrian companies is analyzed in the liquidity situation report by PwC. There are still frictions present on the capital market.
January 14, 2011
Increase of Payment Difficulties for Austria’s Private Households
Estimated 270,000 Austrian households are currently facing financial difficulties and are not able to serve credit sufficiently.
January 14, 2011
New Perspectives for Nabucco
The European Commission wants to commit Azerbaijan to supply gas to Europe. This is expected to be done via the Nabucco pipeline.
January 14, 2011
Austria's Competitiveness Increases Slightly
Austria rose one place, to the 21st, in the ranking of the most liberal economies.
January 14, 2011
Agrana´s Upward Trend Continues
With a strong third quarter, Agrana, the Austrian sugar, starch and fruit group, continued its positive performance of the current financial year.
January 14, 2011
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
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