Czech Republic in Austria | Czechs in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

Austria and the Czech Republic - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, diplomacy and culture

Czech National Bank Open for Interventions

At the moment, the Czech National Bank (CNB) sees no reason for weakening the exchange rate of the Czech Crown. However, CNB is ready to start interventions if necessary.

October 12, 2012

Czech Economy to Shrink by 1.0% This Year

According to IMF, the Czech GDP will shrink by 1.0% this year. Next year an economic growth rate of 0.8% is expected.

October 10, 2012

Czech Republic: Industrial Sector Most Important

Among the EU members, the Czech Republic shows the highest percentage of people working in the industrial sector.

October 6, 2012

CEE Countries Must Work Upon Economic Convergence

CEE countries are struggling with weaker external demand and uncertain consumers, whereas in most cases fiscal policy is under control. Labour productivity, costs and competitiveness of CEE region give reason for optimism.

October 5, 2012

Romania: Lowest Importance of Service Sector in EU

Almost 70% of employed persons in the EU27 worked in the service sector in 2011. The scope ranges from 43% in Romania to 85% in Luxembourg.

October 5, 2012

Eastern Europe Remains Austria´s Future Region

The Austrian economist Christian Keuschnigg thinks that the opening of Austrian companies toward Eastern Europe was a “highly favourable event”.

October 4, 2012

Nine Prime Minister Discuss EU Budget in Bratislava

The Prime Ministers of nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe will meet in the Slovak capital on October 5.

October 3, 2012

Lenzing Expands into Czech Republic

The Austrian fiber producer Now Owns 100% Stake in Pulp Producer Biocel Paskov.

October 3, 2012

Czech Deficit in 2013 at 2.9% of GDP

The Czech Government presented the budget bill for 2013. The Maastricht Criteria should be fulfilled.

September 29, 2012

CEE Equity: RBI Cautiously Optimistic

RBI forecasts a slight increase in yields for Poland, Hungary, Russia and the Czech Republic. Austrian ATX should grow moderately in the next 12 months.

September 28, 2012

CEE Remains Europe’s Growth engine Despite Slow-Down

CEE with 2012 GDP growth of 2.4 per cent – GDP in Eurozone to shrink to minus 0.5 per cent in 2012 . In terms of reforms, CEE tops Eurozone peripherals

September 28, 2012

Klaus: Exit Will Not Destroy Eurozone

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus says that a reduction of the member states will not destroy the Eurozone.

September 27, 2012

Czech National Bank Expects More Interest Rate Cuts

The governor of the Czech National Bank Miroslav Singer explained that the monetary easing program will continue.

September 27, 2012

MOL Announces Massive Investments in Hungary

The Hungarian oil group plans to make investments of € 1.1bn in the next three years.

September 25, 2012

Public Debt: New EU Members Are More Flexible

Compared to old EU member states, the new member states have more fiscal leeway to overcome the crisis.

September 24, 2012

EU: Germany Biggest Net Payer, Poland Biggest Net Recipient

In 2011, Poland received EU-aids of € 11bn. Among the new EU members, Hungary ranks second. In terms of GDP, Hungary is the biggest beneficiary.

September 21, 2012

Klaus: Czechs Against Banking Union

The Czech President notes that the Czech Republic cannot achieve anything without a recovery of the European economy. However, it would be advantageous to stay outside the Eurozone.

September 18, 2012

Strong Increase in Hourly Labor Costs in Hungary and Romania

Second quarter 2012 compared with second quarter 2011: Euro area hourly labour costs rose by 1.6% and by 1.8% in EU27.

September 17, 2012

Czech Republic: EU-Subsidies to be Cut Massively

Due to EU-aid manipulation, the Czech Republic will lose at least € 1.0bn.

September 15, 2012

Hungary Becomes Tax Haven for Czech and Slovak Enterprises

In the last three years, the number of Czech enterprises with head office in Hungary was up by 41%.

September 15, 2012

Czech Republic: Exports to Russia Reach new High

In 2012, the exports to Russia are estimated to surpass € 4.6bn. This would be a new record.

September 15, 2012

Czech Unemployment Rate Remains Flat

In August, the Czech Republic´s unemployment quota came at 8.3%.

September 15, 2012

Klaus Does Not Want European Federation

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus rejects the idea of the head of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso.

September 14, 2012

Czech Public Debt Growing Rapidly

Until the end of the year, public debt is expected to increase to € 63.77bn. At the end of 2011, the public debt level came at € 58.5bn.

September 14, 2012

Czech Republic Threatened of Downgrade

Because of its instable political situation, the Czech Republic may be downgraded. Debt service costs may increase substantially.

September 14, 2012

VAT Dispute: Necas Seeks Compromise

The Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas is optimistic that the instable government will survive. He wants to reach a compromise with the dissenters.

September 13, 2012

OECD: Czech Spending on Education too Low

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development criticizes the Czech government. Expenditure on education only reach 4.8% of GDP, which is below the OECD average of 6.2%.

September 12, 2012

Austerity Package: Czech Government Asks for Vote of Confidence

After the austerity package was disapproved by the Czech Parliament, the government resubmits the bill to the Chamber of Deputies.

September 10, 2012

Czech Republic: No VAT Increase

The governing coalition failed in seeking approval by the parliament. In order to lower the budget deficit, the government intended to lift the VAT rates.

September 7, 2012

Czech VAT Increase to be Resolved

The Czech government wants to increase the tax intake by € 1.0bn. Economists warn of a deepening of the recession.

September 4, 2012

Further Increase in Unemployment

At the end of August 2012, 289,000 persons were looking for a job in Austria. At the same time, employment still grows.

September 3, 2012

Kapsch Acquired Czech Data Storage

The Austrian IT company strengthens its presence in CEE with acquisition of Data Storage in the Czech Republic.

September 3, 2012

Goldman Sachs Lowers Expectations for Austrian Banks

The U.S. investment bank anticipates decreasing earnings.

August 27, 2012

S&P Confirms Czech Rating

The U.S. rating agency retained the rating for the Rczech Republic.

August 24, 2012

Investment in Czech Republic Still Below Pre-Crisis Level

The global financial crisis, which originated in the USA in 2007 also hit the Czech Republic quite hard despite the fact that neither its internal nor external imbalances were excessive, the Czech Central bank stated.

August 24, 2012

Czech VAT to Increase

In order to increase public revenues, the Czech government may increase value added taxes.

August 21, 2012

Profits Grow Slower in Polish Banking Sector

The Polish banking sector is still very stable. However, a trend reversal is foreseeable.

August 10, 2012

East European Banking Industry Shows Ambiguity

For West European banks, their subsidiaries in Eastern Europe are either highly problematic or the cash cows.

August 8, 2012

OMV to Focus on Gas Business

The Austrian oil and gas company intends to exploit natural gas in proximity to Europe. The Black Sea and the North Sea are the strategically most important areas.

August 8, 2012

Polish Business Service Sector Booming

In 2011, 38 new business service centers were established in Poland. The number of employees doubled since 2009.

August 4, 2012

Bank Austria as UniCredit´s Cash Cow

Without Bank Austria, UniCredit would have been in the loss area. The CESEE region is still Bank Austria´s future market.

August 4, 2012

Czech Republic: Erste Group´s CEO Advises Against Introducing the Euro

According to Andreas Treichl, the Czech Republic should not enter the Eurozone now.

August 2, 2012

Erste Group: Concerns Despite Profits

Yesterday, the Austrian banking group published its results for the first half year. The business in Romania, Hungary and Ukraine causes worries.

August 1, 2012

CESEE: Still High Degree of Corruption

According to Transparency International, „political influence over independent institutions is a systemic corruption risk in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia“.

July 31, 2012

OMV: No Withdrawal from Germany

The Austrian oil company and petrol station operator will not sell the petrol station business in Germany. By contrast, the downsizing program in the SEE region and in the Czech Republic will be continued.

July 19, 2012

„No Austerity Measures in the Czech Republic“

The Vienna Institute for International Studies underlines that the Czech Republic´s financial situation is very stable at the moment. Austerity policies would not be required.

July 11, 2012

IMF: New Central and Eastern European Constituency

Austria, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey have established a Central and Eastern European Constituency at the International Monetary Fund.

July 11, 2012

Purchasing Power in CEE Region: Czech Republic Ranks First

Among Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Bratislava records the biggest regional purchasing power. In total, the Czech Republic ranks first.

July 7, 2012

Austria Remains One of the Biggest CESEE Investors

Austria is still an important net investor in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the global importance of the region did not increase.

July 6, 2012

CEE Defies Turbulences in the Eurozone

GDP in CEE expected to grow 2.6 per cent in 2012 – eurozone expected to shrink by 0.3 per cent. Growth forecast for Austria’s GDP at 0.7 per cent in 2012

July 5, 2012