Vienna International Community - Top Diplomats - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about key diplomats in Vienna's international community,e.g. changes in diplomatic personnel in Austria & at Austrian representations abroad

Austrian Railways Reduced Losses

The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) is still in the red. Nevertheless, losses were lower than initially expected.

January 19, 2012

Treichl: „Erste Could Bear Hair Cut in Hungary“

Andreas Treichl, Erste Group´s CEO, is optimistic for Hungary. A withdrawal of Erste Group is not considered.

January 18, 2012

Austrian Banks Claim to Continue „Vienna Initiative“

In 2009, international banks agreed on maintaining their lending operations in Eastern Europe. Now, the cooperation should be extended.

January 18, 2012

New Management at Vienna Stock Exchange

Birgit Kuras is the new Member of the Management Board of Wiener Börse AG.

January 18, 2012

Metro Cancels Kaufhof Sale

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko has to abandon the plan to take over the German retail chain Kaufhof.

January 17, 2012

Pecik´s Stake in Telekom Austria Beyond 20%

The Austrian investor currently holds 15.0% of Telekom Austria´s share capital. Furthermore, Pecik owns call options for another 5.1%.

January 17, 2012

Government to Sharpen Austerity Measures

After the downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds from „AAA“ to „AA+“ by S&P, the Austrian government aims to reach its austerity targets earlier.

January 17, 2012

Porr: Capital Increase Flows Smoothly

According to Porr´s CEO Karl Heinz Strauss, the Austrian construction group raises ist capital within the next 60 days. Operating business is performing well, Strauss says.

January 16, 2012

Austrian Labor Market is Stable

The Minister of Social Affairs, Rudolf Hundstorfer, strikes a balance of the labor market in 2011 and refers to the lowest unemployment rate in the EU.

January 15, 2012

Downgrade: „It´s Time to Take Action“

The downgrade of Austria´s rating from “AAA” to “AA+” caused mixed reactions. The Austrian economy urges for structural actions.

January 15, 2012

New Management for Microsoft Austria

With Georg Obermeier, the Austrian subsidiary of the U.S. software group has a new executive.

January 14, 2012

Treichl Does Not Expect Hungarian National Insolvency

In spite of a large exposure in Hungary, Andreas Treichl, Erste Group´s CEO is optimistic. By 2014, Erste Group Hungary should be profitable again.

January 14, 2012

Downgrade: Government Surprised and Criticized

For the Austrian government, the downgrade by the U.S. rating agency is „not comprehensible”. The domestic industry urgently claims structural reforms.

January 14, 2012

Unions Protest Against AUA´s Plans

Austrian trade unions are strictly against new austerity measures at Austrian Airlines. Management wants to negotiate over new collective agreements.

January 12, 2012

„Vienna Is One of the Most Undervalued Stock Exchange in the World“

According to the investment funds manager Alois Wögerbauer, Vienna has a huge upside potential.

January 12, 2012

Pressure on Hungary Increases

The chairman of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, sees no danger for Austrian banks from Hungary. EU and IMF criticize the Hungarian government.

January 11, 2012

Zotter Sounds Chinese Market

The Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter wants to offer his products to Chinese customers. A market entry is considered.

January 11, 2012

VIG Has „No Problems in Hungary“

“We are an insurance group and not a bank.”, said the management of Vienna Insurance Group. Nevertheless, the developments are observed thoroughly.

January 11, 2012

Supervisory Board of Telekom Austria Calls For Dividend Suspension

The supervisory board member Alexander Sollak claims that not dividends should be paid out for 2011. Instead, the equity base should be strengthened.

January 9, 2012

ÖVP Does Not Exclude New Taxes Anymore

Against previous statements, the head of the Austrian conservatives, Michael Spindelegger, considers to introduce new taxes.

January 9, 2012

„Not Talking Down Austerity Policy“

Bernhard Felderer, head of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS), warns daily issued ideas for new taxes. First signs of a recovery are arising.

January 7, 2012

Austria Grants Highest Subsidies in Europe

In 2010, subsidies amounting to 6.5% of the Austrian GDP were distributed. The EU-average is only the half.

January 7, 2012

„We Are at the Tipping Point“

2012 will be a crucial year for Europe and Austria, says the director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The coming decade will be coined by debt reduction.

January 5, 2012

Austrian Economy Pushes for Austerity

In order to prevent new taxes, the Austrian Chamber of Commmerce and the Federation of Industries call for austerity measures.

January 5, 2012

Austerity Package: Business Association Warns of New Taxes

New taxes would be an “attack against the economy”, general secretary Peter Haubner says.

January 4, 2012

Sorger Asks For Investments in Education and R&D

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, calls for future investments.

January 3, 2012

Substantial Decrease in Stock Market Turnover

The Vienna Stock Exchange recorded a decline in stock market turnover by 18% in 2011. This is also due to new taxes.

January 2, 2012

Austrian Enterprises Fear Nationalization in Hungary

Nationalization plans induce fierce criticism against the Hungarian Government. The Austrian waste management industry would be hit hard.

January 2, 2012

New Chairman for Intercell’s Supervisory Board

Thomas Szucs succeeds Michael Gréco who remains on the Supervisory Board of the Austrian pharmaceutical company.

December 30, 2011

RBI Rules Out Sale of Eastern European Subsidiaries

CEO Herbert Stepic expects a very difficult year 2012 for the entire banking industry.

December 29, 2011

Industry Wants to Suspend Banking Tax

The new capital requirements for banks are criticized by the Federation of Austrian Industries and the research institute WIFO.

December 29, 2011

Critics for FMA and Central Bank

Michael Ikrath, general secretary from Austrian Sparkassen, criticizes the Financial Market Authority and the Central Bank for equity requirements imposed on domestic banks.

December 28, 2011

Bank Austria Expects Positive Results

In spite of high losses in the third quarter, the subsidiary of the Italian UniCredit forecasts slight, but positive results.

December 28, 2011

Emco With Growth Plans

The new owner of the former A-Tec subsidiary, now can begin to realize its expansion plans.

December 27, 2011

Erste Group: Capital Shortfall to be Covered by Profits

The new equity requirements will be fulfilled, Erste Group´s CEO Treichl says. The capital shortfall amounts to € 743m.

December 27, 2011

Growth Potential for Semperit

The Austrian synthetic product manufacturer already recognizes the weakening of the business cycle. However, investments will not be reduced. The BRIC countries are seen as future markets.

December 27, 2011

Austrian Government Wants to Save € 10bn

The coalition partners agreed to cut expenses by € 2.0bn per year until 2016. Details were not published.

December 27, 2011

Brain Force Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Hannes Griesser succeeds Thomas Melzer as CFO of the Austrian software company as of 1 January.

December 23, 2011

Comeback of Al Jaber at Kneissl?

The creditors of the Austrian ski manufacturer will vote on a new restructuring plan after the takeover by a German group has failed.

December 22, 2011

Changes to the Executive Board of Hirsch Servo

Dr. Johannes Kappel will join the new two-member board of the Austrian machine manufacturer and packaging supplier.

December 22, 2011

SPÖ Wants to Defend State’s Stake in Telekom Austria

According to State Secretary Andreas Schieder, the ÖIAG should defend its shareholding of 28%.

December 22, 2011

Pecik Extends Stake in Telekom Austria

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is told to become the largest shareholder in Telekom Austria. Up to 29% are possible.

December 20, 2011

Benko Relieved from Money Laundering Accusations

Investigations against the Austrian real estate investor will end soon, German newspapers report. Benko bids for Metro´s subsidiary Kaufhof.

December 20, 2011

Felderer Expects Structural Changes

The head of the public debt committee, Bernhard Felderer says that new taxes are inevitable.

December 20, 2011

Hypo Group to Sell Interests in SEE Earlier

Due to the equity regulations, the Austrian bank prefers to sell its business in South Eastern Europe instead of the Italian and Austrian subsidiary.

December 19, 2011

Many Applicants in Emco Sale

The Austrian mechanical engineering company, which is a subsidiary of the insolvent A-Tec group, is highly sought-after. The sale price is estimated to reach € 30m.

December 19, 2011

Fekter Pushes for Further Austerity Measures

The Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter (ÖVP), announced that the planned austerity measures will not be sufficient. The coalition partner SPÖ is upset.

December 19, 2011

OeNB: Developments in the Sovereign Debt Crisis Will Be Crucial for Financial Stability

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) presented the 22nd Financial Stability Report.

December 16, 2011

Voestalpine Streamlines Group Structure

The Austrian steel company merges its Automotive and Profilform divisions. Herbert Eibensteiner takes over as head of the new division.

December 15, 2011

Changes to the Management Board of Erste Group

The Supervisory Board of the Austrian bank took several personnel decisions that concern the holding company as well as the subsidiaries in Hungary and Romania.

December 15, 2011