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