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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
Fitch Downgrades Slovenian Banks
The U.S. rating agency downgrades the lown-term ratings of major Slovenian banks. The outlook is negative for all of them.
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
Fitch Downgrades Slovenia
The Southern neighbor country of Austria was downgraded to “A-“. The outlook is negative now.
August 8, 2012
Croatia: Crisis Sharpens
The Croatian recession seems to continue. Consumption falls further, unemployment continues to rise.
August 7, 2012
Hungary: Most Foreign Firms from Austria
In Hungary, foreign companies employ 25% of the workforce. However, the share of foreign companies only reaches 3.3%
August 7, 2012
MTC Invests € 25m in Romania
The Montana Tech Components AG industrial group will invest € 25m to expand the production facilities of their Romanian subsidiary, UACE (Universal Alloy Corporation Europe SRL).
August 7, 2012
Again Downgrades in Slovenian Banking Sector
Last week, Moody´s downgraded big Slovenian banks. Now, S&P puts the domestic banking industry under even more pressure.
August 6, 2012
Serbia: Struggle for Central Bank Sharpens
After the resignation of governor Dejan Soskic, the EU warns Serbia of abolishing the independence of the Serbian Central Bank.
August 6, 2012
Slovakia: Rating Confirmed by S&P
The U.S. rating agency Standard & Poor´s reiterates Slovakia´s A/A-1 rating. The outlook is is still „stable“. Slovakia´s labor market data are less promising, however.
August 6, 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
Polish Industrial Sector Shrinks
Last month, the Polish purchase manager index could recover. Nevertheless, there is no tendency of growth yet.
August 3, 2012
Moody´s Downgrades Slovenia
Today, the U.S. rating agency has downgraded the Western Balkan country by three notches to „Baa2“ from „A2“.
August 3, 2012
Budget Crisis: Serbia to Reduce Foreign Exchange Reserves
In order to mend Serbia´s budget hole, the government plans to amend the Central Bank law.
August 2, 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
Hungary: Slow Progress in Talks with IMF
The negotiations with IMF about a € 15bn loan will be resumed in September. According to economists, a final agreement is highly uncertain.
August 1, 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
Proceedings Against Bulgarian Subsidiary of OMV Stopped
The Bulgarian Competition Authority KZK stopped investigations against OMV Bulgaria, Rompetrol, Lukoil and Naftex Petrol. The companies were suspected of price fixing.
August 1, 2012
VIG Streamlines its Market Presence in Poland
Vienna Insurance Group announced that the merger of InterRisk and PZM is completed.
August 1, 2012
Slovenian Abanka Vipa Needs Fresh Capital
The third-biggest Slovenian bank needs a capital injection of € 50m. In total, Abanka Vipa has a risky assets of € 600m.
July 31, 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
Bankruptcy Prevented: Schlecker Austria Becomes „daily“
The Austrian investment funds TAP 09 acquires the financially stricken chemist chain. Schlecker Austria should become a local grocer.
July 31, 2012
Erste Group Burdened by Losses in Eastern Europe
Despite losses in Romania, Hungary and Ukraine, Erste Group posts a net profit of € 453.6m in first half of 2012.
July 31, 2012
Banking Industry: Slower Growth Expected
Due to the weak results in Eastern Europe, the Austrian banking industry faces only decent net income figures in the second quarter of 2012.
July 30, 2012
Slovenian Banking Crisis Aggravates
This week, the rating agency Moody´s downgrades the three biggest banks of Slovenia. Slovenia is threatened of becoming a bail-out candidate.
July 27, 2012
Croatian Bridge Construction Project: Strabag Withdraws
The biggest Austrian construction group withdraws from the € 20m contract.
July 27, 2012
New Hope for Nabucco West
The Aseri Minister of Energy Natik Aliyev thinks that Nabucco West would be better than the rival project TAP.
July 27, 2012
Ukraine Emitted Eurobonds of USD 2 Billion
This Eurobond emission has been the largest in Ukraine ever. The Ministry of Finance has leveraged capital markets current developments thus ensuring that 260 investors’ final order volume constitutes USD 5.8 billion.
July 26, 2012
Hungary: Real Income Shrinks
The Hungarian economy faces a substantial recession this year. Despite growing gross incomes, real income decreased by 4% last year.
July 25, 2012
Poland as CESEE´s Locomotive
This year, the CESEE region should record a growth rate of 1.7%. However, the situation is highly different.
July 25, 2012
Insolvencies in CESEE on the Rise
In 2011, the number of business insolvencies rose by 25% in the CESEE region. Hungary ranks first.
July 25, 2012
Rising Serbian Budget Deficit Causes Worries
This year, Serbia has to borrow € 4.2bn. A budget deficit of € 300m is forecasted in 2012.
July 24, 2012
Aiginger: „Feeding Banks Makes No Sense“
The director of WIFO (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) thinks that Spanish banks must be able to become insolvent.
July 24, 2012
IMF: Doubt on Hungary´s Economic Data
For the IMF, the budgetary forecasts are too optimistic. The negotiations on the € 15bn loan continue.
July 23, 2012
Austrian-Bulgarian Economic Forum
The event takes place on September 18, 2012 at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Vienna.
July 23, 2012
Slovakia: Bank Tax Should Reach € 1.0bn
The Slovakian government raised the bank tax up to 0.4% on deposits. Once the tax intake totals € 1.0bn, the tax should be abolished.
July 21, 2012
RBI: Bad Development in Hungary
Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International expects that the development of non-performing loans is stable this year.
July 21, 2012
Slovenia in Financial Distress
In order to prevent becoming a bail-out candidate, the Slovenian government aims to resolve a „debt brake“. It turns out that this goal is highly uncertain.
July 21, 2012
Hypo Group: „As Little Bank Aids as Possible“
Hypo Group Alpe Adria´s CEO Gottwald is unhappy with reports that the state-owned bank may need further bank aids.
July 20, 2012
OMV: Libyan Output at Pre-War Level
The Austrian oil company could increase its oil production in the second quarter. OMV has to register extraordinary expenses of € 170m.
July 20, 2012
Vienna Insurance Group: Still Growth Potential in CESEE
VIG´s new CEO Peter Hagen aims to achieve external as well as internal growth. The process of catching up will go on.
July 20, 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
Takeover of Croatian Aluflex Failed
The Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria will not sell the Croatian aluminum group to the Swiss MTC (Montana Tech Components).
July 19, 2012
Slight Growth in Ukrainian Financial Industry, Uncertainty Remains
According to Austrian RCB (Raiffeisen Centrobank), the lending activity remains subdued amid looming economic uncertainty. Deposit growth resumed in June both in corporate and retail segments.
July 19, 2012
Slovenian Banking Industry „One of the most Burdened in CEE Region“
About 11.5% of total loans are non-performing. Slovenia is one of the few countries suffering a crunch, RCB states.
July 18, 2012
Erste Group Enters Bulgarian Property Market
Todor Alexandrov Offices in Sofia developed by Erste Group Immorent AG are ready for occupation.
July 18, 2012
Ukraine Shows Stable Economic Performance
After a major depression in 2009, the Ukrainian economy grows steadily. However, in June, industrial output fell slightly, Austrian RCB analyzes.
July 18, 2012
Kapsch CarrierCom Acquires Remaining Shares in Croatian TIS
With the acquisition of the remaining shares in the Croatian subsidiary Kapsch TIS d.o.o., Kapsch CarrierCom is further expanding its involvement in South-Eastern Europe.
July 18, 2012
„IMF Is Not Our Enemy“
Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban returns to the bargaining table. The country needs up to € 20bn.
July 17, 2012
Bail-Outs: Is Slovenia Next?
The Slovenian banking industry becomes an increasing problem for Austria´s Southern neighbour. Non-performing loans may total up to € 6.0bn.
July 17, 2012