Eastern European Countries and Austria | Bilateral Relations

Austria and Eastern European countries - Latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism

S&P: Eastern Subsidiaries of Austrian Banks Most Become More Independent

The U.S. rating agency criticizes that Austrian banks are still weakly capitalized. The economic crisis caused a massive withdrawal of funds in Eastern Europe, S&P says.

October 11, 2012

Poland´s Budget Deficit “Will Not Be Bigger than Planned”

The Polish Minister of finance Jacek Rostowski stresses that the planned budget deficit will not be higher than PLN 35.6bn.

October 11, 2012

Albania to Become Official Candidate

The Western Balkan country was recommended by the EU Commission. Serbia and Kosovo must reach a “sustainable solution”.

October 10, 2012

Grawe Bids for Zavarovalnica Maribor

The Austrian insurance group wants to take over the Slovenian insurer Zavarovalnica Maribor (ZM). ZM´s management prefers Slovenian bidders.

October 10, 2012

Orban Rejects Joining Eurozone

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thinks that the introduction of the euro in Hungary would be “irresponsible”.

October 10, 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

IMF Issues Optimistic Forecast for Slovakia

According to IMF, Slovakia´s economy will grow by 3.3% this year. However, the forecast had to be reduced compared to the prior forecast.

October 10, 2012

Slovenia Resolves Financial Transaction Tax

The Slovenian government wants to introduce a 6.5% tax on securities trading. The financial industry criticizes the government massively.

October 9, 2012

Small Growth in Hungarian Foreign Trade

From January to August 2012, the Hungarian export value rose by 2%.

October 9, 2012

Moderate Growth in Slovak Foreign Trade

Increasing foreign trade development in August and over the first eight months of 2012.

October 9, 2012

Slovakia: Growing Industrial Output, Declining Construction Sector

The Slovak Industrial production index (IPI) increased by 17 % in August 2012 compared to August 2011.The, construction output decreased, year-on-year, by 13,7 %.

October 9, 2012

Serbia´s National Bank Fights Against Inflation

Today, the Serbian National Bank raised the base rate from 10.50% to 10.75%. IMF has lowered the economic outlook for Serbia.

October 9, 2012

Hungarians Highly Dissatisfied with Economic Situation

According to a survey of the opinion research institute, 46% of the interviewees view their situation as “bad”.

October 9, 2012

Hungary Not A focus of commercial Real Estate Investors

The risk appetite of real estate investors is still subdued. Hungary’s default risk remains relatively high.

October 9, 2012

Bulgaria Records Lowest Wages in EU

Bulgaria´s GDP per capita only comes to 45% of the EU-average, Eurostat says.

October 8, 2012

Poland: Almost 2.0 Million Unemployed

In August, the unemployment quota grew to 12.5% from 12.4%.

October 8, 2012

Slovenia: Second-Largest Insurance Group to be Sold

The Austrian Uniqa Group and Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung (Grawe) are interested in Zavarovalnica Maribor (ZM):

October 8, 2012

Erste Group to Sell Ukrainian Subsidiary

This year, the Austrian bank plans to sell its Ukrainian business segment. Erste Group entered the Ukraine in 2006.

October 8, 2012

Hungarian Retail Sector Struggling on Several Fronts

The recession in Hungary is also affecting the Hungarian retail sector. A weak labour market combined with declining purchasing power is dampening consumer spending, a development which is reflected in weak retail sales.

October 8, 2012

Hungary: Residential Housing Market at a Standstill

According to Bank Austria, the Hungarian housing market has reached a historic low.

October 8, 2012

Hungary: Vacancy Rates in Office Market Remain High

Despite record low in new building activity, the Hungarian office market proves stable.

October 6, 2012

Hungarian Economy Still Shows Weakness

The country´s economic growth remains low, public debt leaves no leeway for fiscal policies. A high level of foreign debt remains a significant weakness of the Hungarian economy.

October 6, 2012

Poland: Long-Term Unemployment Becomes Problematic for State Budget

According to the consulter Deloitte, Poland is losing billions because of the long-term unemployment.

October 6, 2012

Bulgaria: Djankov Predicts Long-Term Stagnation

Bulgaria´s Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov expects low growth rates in the next ten years.

October 6, 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

New Austerity Package in Hungary

In order to cut the budget defict below 3.0% of GDP in 2013, the Hungarian government plans further cuts and tax increases.

October 5, 2012

Poland´s Komorowski: “Strong Swiss Franc Causes Problems”

On the occasion of a visit in Switzerland, the Polish President Bronislav Komorowski explained that the strong Swiss franc is a problem for both countries.

October 5, 2012

Slovenia to Sharpen Austerity Measures

The Slovenian centre-right government announces new austerity cuts. The budget deficit should be lowered to 3.0% of GDP.

October 5, 2012

Slovakia´s Growth Still Driven by Exports

The industrial sector still shows dynamics. However, government spending and consumption is falling further.

October 5, 2012

Working Time: Brits and Austrians Work Most

Regarding the weekly working time, Austria ranks second. The share of employees working in the service industry is slightly below the EU average.

October 5, 2012

"Serbia can count on Austria to be its partner"

The Austrian State Secretary encourages Serbia to embark on pro-European course.

October 5, 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

ESM: Slovakia Pays € 264m

In October, the Slovak government will transfer € 264m to ESM. This will be the first two installments.

October 4, 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

Hungary Must Lower Budget Deficit

The Hungarian National Bank puts pressure on the government to lower the budget deficit. By contrast, the government has widened the budget target to 2.8% instead.

October 4, 2012

Austria: Fixed Costs Come at 55% of Household Income

In Eastern Europe, the share of fixed costs is even higher. Romanian households spend 76% of their income on fixed costs.

October 4, 2012

Poland´s National Bank Holds Interest Rate

After analysts expected that the Polish NBP cut the interest rate, the decision to hold the rate at 4.75% came as a surprise.

October 4, 2012

Slovenian Parliament Approves Creation of Bad Bank

The Slovenian state creates a bad bank in order to restructure the financially stricken banking sector.

October 4, 2012

EU as „Serbia´s Most Important Market“

The U.S. economist Paul Krugman thinks that Serbia´s future is the European Union. The EU is worried about the turn towards Russia.

October 4, 2012

Viennese Investors to Sell UkrTelekom

The Ukrainian investor Rinat Achmetow is said to acquire UkrTelekom.

October 3, 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

Slovakia Abolishes Flat Tax

Because of the austerity pressure, Slovakia gives up its flat tax. The corporation income tax rate increases to 23% from 19%.

October 3, 2012

IMF Puts Pressure on Slovenia

Slovenia is urged to implement quick reforms. Otherwise the country may have to be bailed out by the safety net.

October 3, 2012

Bulgaria: Bank Secret Wobbles

The Bulgarian National Bank warns of an easing of the bank secret. The Bulgarian Parliament argues that the bank secret protects money laundering activities.

October 3, 2012

Lenzing Expands into Czech Republic

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

October 3, 2012

Poland to Increase Flexibility of Labor Market

The Polish Ministry of Social Affairs prepares an “anti-crisis-package”.

October 3, 2012

Poland: Interest Cut Expected

The Polish National Bank NBP is anticipated to announce a cut in the base rate. At the moment, the base rate stands at 4.75%.

October 2, 2012

Slovakia: Budget Deficit Decreased Slightly

Last month, the Slovak state deficit was down to € 2.59bn. In August, the deficit stood at € 2.68bn.

October 2, 2012

Immofinanz Builds Next Shopping Center in Poland

The Austrain real estate group starts retail development project in Poland. Investments total € 115m.

October 2, 2012