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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 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
Atrium Reacts Sharply to Meinl´s Lawsuit
Atrium European Real Estate Ltd comments the recent lawsuit by Meinl Bank: “A desperate response.”
December 31, 2010
Austria's Material Goods Production Increases Massively
The production trend in the manufacturing and construction industry shows a positive effect in September 2010. Sales increased by 10.3%.
December 31, 2010
Immofinanz Sues Lobbyist
The Austrian real estate group Immofinanz sues its former adviser, Walter Meischberger, because of the "Buwog Affair".
December 30, 2010
Nowotny Calls for Consistent Budget Consolidation
The Governor of the OeNB draws balance at the end of the year and gives his outlook on the challenges for 2011
December 30, 2010
Austria's Labor Market Opens
As of May 1, 2011 the German and Austrian labor markets open for the new EU citizens. Romania and Bulgaria will follow suit in 2013.
December 30, 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
WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"
In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.
December 30, 2010
Meinl Starts New Actions against Atrium
The exchange of blows between Meinl Bank and Atrium is getting more violent. Meinl Bank is presently filing a claim before the Arbitration Court of the Economic Chamber.
December 29, 2010
WIFO: Lack of Competition in Austria
According to WIFO, lack of competition is causing a growth bottleneck in Austria and requires legal action by the government and the EU.
December 29, 2010
State Visit from Qatar in Austria
As part of a three-day state visit by the Head of State of Qatar, talks on economic topics are mainly planned.
December 29, 2010
Leitl Demands Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber calls for more Government work in administration, health and education.
December 29, 2010
Good Prospects for Austrian Exports
The outlook for 2010 is favorable after the sharp decline of Austrian goods exports in the crisis year 2009 (-20.2%), .
December 29, 2010
Bank Austria CEO Cernko: Austrian Banks Fight Securities Tax
The CEO of Bank Austria, Willibald Cernko, was interviewed by the newspaper “Kurier”. He announced that Austrian Banks will call the Constitutional Court.
December 29, 2010
Illegal Employment Grows
One of four Austrian firms employs illegal workers from abroad.
December 29, 2010
Profits Increase for Banks in Austria
The profitability in the first three quarters of 2010 of Austrian banks shows continued strong growth.
December 29, 2010
Spindelegger: Turkey's Joining the EU Will Not Happen Before 2024
In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", the Austrian Foreign Minister stresses the relevance of Turkey. Croatia should come into the EU much earlier EU.
December 29, 2010
Chamber of Labor Calls for a More Equitable Distribution
Corporate profits on one hand and reduced working hours, dismissals and wage cuts on the other, are not compatible for the Chamber of Labor.
December 28, 2010
Meinl Bank Shows Losses
Due to the elimination of investments, Meinl Bank slips into the red zone. The loss amounts to € 37m.
December 28, 2010
Raiffeisen Foresees a Weak Decade for Europe
RLB Niederösterreich-Wien expects hardly any economic growth, particularly in the euro countries. Austria is however relatively well positioned.
December 28, 2010
Sanader Remains in Extradition Custody
Custody prior to extradition was imposed on the former Croatian Prime Minister Sanader. He complains about the "arbitrariness of the Croatian authorities".
December 28, 2010
Further Rise in Energy Prices for Households
Austrian energy prices in November 2010 were higher by 5.8% compared to the previous year. Only gas became cheaper.
December 27, 2010
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