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Vienna International Business News | Economic | Investment | Financial
Get the latest business news and analysis on the Austrian economy, including news on economic policies, foreign trade, financial developments and investments
Is Austria a Risk Country?
Due to its engagement in Eastern Europe, Austria is partially considered as a potential risk country. Lack of understanding for this assessment is shown by Austria.
December 10, 2010
Economic Chamber: No More Credit Crunch for Austria’s Businesses
A study by the Austrian Economic Chamber shows the high level of satisfaction of local businesses with their banks: the credit crunch has disappeared.
December 10, 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
WIFO: Austrian Manufacturing Industry in Good Position
The economic recovery driven by exports and the manufacturing industry continued in the fall: the GDP grew 2.4% over the previous year in the third quarter.
December 10, 2010
Workers Count on Early Retirement
Nearly half the Austrian salaried employees do not expect to work until reaching normal retirement age.
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
Mitterlehner: New Red-White-Red Card has Advantages for Economy and Location
The "red-white-red-card" is to meet the needs of the Austrian economy for skilled foreign workers.
December 10, 2010
Austrian Economic Chamber Supports Development of the Danube as a Transportation Route
Austrian Economic Chamber President Christoph Leitl supports the EU's Danube region strategy to expand infrastructure between the Danube countries.
December 10, 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
Austrian Resistance Against Euro Bonds
Massive criticism comes from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria against the proposal to implement euro bonds to stabilize the currency in the EU.
December 8, 2010
Austrian National Bank: Credit Shortage Has Been Overcome
The analysis of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrian National Bank) on loan growth shows slowly recovering credit dynamics in 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
Increase of Austrians’ Purchasing Power
Despite higher taxes and lower benefits, the purchasing power of the Austrian people will grow in 2011 by an estimated 2.6%.
December 7, 2010
Sales Gowth in the Services Sector
In the third quarter, trade and services reached a revenue growth of 7.2% over the previous quarter of this year and of 5.2% over the same quarter of the previous year.
December 7, 2010
Nowotny Pleads for Euro-Bonds
The governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny, is for the introduction of euro-bonds. Germany’s resistance is pre-programmed.
December 6, 2010
Economic Chamber in Tokyo: Biotechnology as an Opportunity
The President of the Vienna Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, sees above all great opportunities for Austria in Japanese biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
December 6, 2010
Andritz Criticized Because of Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant
After being sharply criticized by church organizations because of a construction project in Brazil, the plant manufacturer now turns to the public.
December 6, 2010
Trade Between Russia and Austria is Booming
The volume of trade between Austria and Russia has increased by 30%. Innovation and modernization are core issues for both countries.
December 6, 2010
Leitl Vehemently Defends Euro Protection Shield
The President of the WKÖ (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber), Christoph Leitl, gives a clear answer to the euro critics: without the euro, Austria would have become a problematic case in 2009.
December 6, 2010
Failure of Austria's Software Industry
The President of the VÖSI, Peter Kotauczek, draws a sobering summary of the efforts of domestic software manufacturers.
December 6, 2010
Significant Losses at JoWood
The Vienna computer game manufacturer JoWood released its semi-annual report. The loss amounts to € 24 million.
December 5, 2010
Wikileaks: Criticism of Austrian Politicians by the U.S.
The critical view on Austria's leading politicians on part of the U.S. is written down in the recent revelations of the Wikileaks platform.
December 5, 2010
New Regulations for Bank Managers' Bonuses
Additional compensations for managers in the banking sector are subject to new regulations approved by the Austrian National Council. Payments will be deferred in time.
December 5, 2010
Vienna Airport Board Sees no Fault of Their Own
The controversial directors of Flughafen Wien (Vienna International Airport) defend themselves against public criticism of the construction project "Skylink".
December 5, 2010
Passing On of Bank Information: FMA Defends Itself
Since, according to Wikileaks, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has passed on bank data to the U.S., a position has been taken about the issue.
December 5, 2010
Discussion over Insider Trading Among Austrian Leadership
Domestic insider trading regulations could be improved, imply top personalities of the Austrian economy. Radical proposals are also being made.
December 3, 2010
Michaelis Leaves Austria's State Holding Company
The contract of Peter Michaelis, Chairman of The State Holding Company OIAG, expires in June 2011. There is disagreement over the succession in the government.
December 3, 2010
Triple-A Rating: Treichl vs. Nowotny
The Chairman of the Erste Group is not convinced anymore by Austria's financial policy; the Governor of the National Bank however, still stands on "AAA".
December 3, 2010
Stable Recovery of Austrian Economy
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrial National Bank) is assuming a growth of the economy of 1.9% for 2010. Further acceleration is possible for subsequent years.
December 3, 2010
Equity Requirements of Austrian Banks are € 18 billion
Due to the new Basel III regulations, Austrian banks will need a much stronger capital base by 2019. The estimation is € 15 billion to € 18 billion.
December 2, 2010
U.S. Sees Money Laundering Activities at Austrian Banks
Wikileaks has published notes of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. There were allegedly money exchanges between Austrian banks and criminals.
December 2, 2010
OMV CEO: Insider-process on January27
While the trial date for the CEO of OMV has already been set, many leading personalities express their trust in an open letter.
December 2, 2010
Mitterlehner: To Expand Further Good Trade Relations with Switzerland…
The Minister of Economy, after meeting with his Swiss counterpart, said: "Switzerland is the third most important export partner; new opportunities with eco-innovations should be profited from".
December 2, 2010
Zumtobel Announces Increasing Profits
Dynamic components business brings Austrian lighting group 60% increase in Profits. Revenues were up by 8%.
December 2, 2010
Doppelmayr: Slight decline in Sales but Good Result
Doppelmayr, The aerial and surface ropeway manufacturer from Vorarlberg underwent a slight drop in sales, but net income hasincrea sed significantly. Cautious optimism is being shown.
December 1, 2010
Austria's Industry Welcomes Electricity Reform
Whereas Industrialists and the Economic Chamber (WKO) are asking for enactment today, the Umweltdachverband (UWD, Environmental Federation) is against it.
December 1, 2010
Austria's Position in the CEE Region Shakes
According to the Roland Berger consultancy agency, Austria receives not only competition in the CEE countries, but the importance of the region also decreases from a global viewpoint.
December 1, 2010
Unemployment Continued to Decline in November
Both the number of unemployed and trainees show a decline.
December 1, 2010
Fabasoft in the Red
The Austrian software producer experiences slightly falling sales. Operating results are negative.
December 1, 2010
Extra-budgetary Debts Grow Unabated
Debt levels which are not attributed to the Austrian Federal Budget rise exorbitantly. Above all, the ÖBB and Asfinag are responsible.
November 30, 2010
Erste Group is Holding Repayment of Public Funds
The participation capital granted by the State following the bank crisis will only be paid back by the Erste Group after specifications of Basel III are set.
November 30, 2010
Carinthia Back on Growth Path
A business survey in Carinthia showed an increasingly positive image. Optimism is rising.
November 30, 2010
The Budget is Finally Set
After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.
November 30, 2010
Industrialists: Destruction of Business Location Averted
The Industriellenvereinigung (IV, Industrialists Association) is relieved about issues concerning location policy, and at the same time calls for structural reforms.
November 30, 2010
Stable Results and Sales Growth for Swietelsky
The Upper Austrian construction company recorded a strong growth in sales (+7.1%) in the first half-year. Results only vary slightly.
November 30, 2010
Salary Increase in Trade up to 2.3%
Low incomes are taken more into account than higher salaries; the minimum wage in trade now amounts to € 1,300.
November 30, 2010
Globalization Study: Vienna Among Top 20 Cities
New York remains at the top of the ranking of the "Global City Index 2010" by A.T. Kearney. Vienna stays unchanged at 18th place.
November 30, 2010
EU Growth Forecast: Austria Slightly Over Average
The EU Commission has revised its growth forecast for 2011 slightly upwards. Austria stays at 1.7% in the above average area.
November 30, 2010
Strong Sales Growth in Goods Production and Construction
According to Statistik Austria, sales growth in goods production was 14.3%. Orders for the construction industry decline however.
November 30, 2010
Carinthia Strengthens Relations with China
The Carinthian Economic Chamber President, Franz Pacher, has signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Beijing Economic Chamber.
November 29, 2010
