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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
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
Telekom Austrian Interested in Bulgarian Vivacom
The second-largest Bulgarian telecommunication enterprise is for sale. Telekom Austria has good prospects to become the buyer.
January 16, 2012
Uniqa: Strong Growth in Premium Income
The Austrian insurance company announced to have achieved 20% growth in Bulgaria.
January 16, 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
DiTech Raises Sales by 9.0%
The Vienna-based computer retailer recorded sales of € 105m in 2011.
January 14, 2012
OMV: Libyan Oil Production at 60% of Pre-War Level
The Austrian OMV produces 19,000 barrels per day in Libya. Production can be improved steadily. A Romanian refinery will be sold to the Romanian state.
January 13, 2012
Telekom Austria Faces New Taxes in Croatia
Croatia re-introduces extraordinary taxes for telecommunication operators. The local government is criticized by Telekom Austria and the EU.
January 13, 2012
Exit in Hungary Would be Expensive
In case of leaving the Hungarian market, Austrian banks would face enormous costs, says Citigroup.
January 13, 2012
Polish Warta: Decision Expected this Week
Vienna Insurance Group and Zurich fight for Polish Warta. The seller, Belgian KBC, will decide this week.
January 12, 2012
Austrian Banks Must Downsize in Hungary
Erste Group and Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) must streamline their operations. Nevertheless, a further capital increase could become necessary.
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
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
OMV Condemned by Antitrust Authorities
Petrom, a subsidiary of the Austrian oil and gas company has to pay a € 85.2m fine in Romania.
January 11, 2012
Slow Growth in CEE Expected
According to Raiffeisen Research, real GDP in CEE to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2012, while Austria set to post GDP decline of 0.5 per cent.
January 11, 2012
CA Immo Secures Refinancing for Project in Budapest
The Austrian real estate company CA Immo has agreed on refinancing for an office building in Budapest with Bank Austria. The investment totals € 27.0m.
January 10, 2012
Hungarian Crisis: BIS Warns Austria Insistently
A collapse of the Hungarian economy would hit Austria very hard, says the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Austrian Banks have a high exposure.
January 9, 2012
Petrom and Exxon Explore in Black Sea
Petrom, the Romanian subsidiary of the Austrian oil and gas group OMV, closed a partnership with the U.S. oil group ExxonMobil.
January 9, 2012
Major Order for Strabag in Poland
The Austrian construction group strengthens its market position in Polish transportation infrastructures segment with a € 254m order.
January 9, 2012
Austrian Banks Have $ 41.0bn Exposure in Hungary
After another downgrade, a national bankruptcy of Hungary is not excluded anymore. Consequences for Austrian banks would not be foreseeable.
January 7, 2012
Hungary Becomes Fundamental Risk Factor for Austrian Banks
Over the last weeks, fears of a Hungarian bankruptcy grew drastically. The Hungarian Forint has reached a new record low.
January 5, 2012
Wettpunkt Invests in Croatia
The Austrian betting company expands its operations in Croatia. Investments of € 10m were announced.
January 4, 2012
Hungary: High Losses for Banks
According to the Hungarian banking association, costs for the coerced conversion of foreign currency loans reach about € 952m.
January 4, 2012
CEE Investments Recommended
According to Erste Group, equities to become more attractive in 2012 compared to 2011. Turkey is seen as highly interesting investment location.
January 4, 2012
Uniqa´s Czech Subsidiary Beats Market Growth
The Czech subsidiary of the Austrian insurance group achieved an 11% premium income growth, which is significantly beyond the market growth (1.8%).
January 3, 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
Erste Group Increased Share Capital
The Austrian bank raised its capital in connection with the agreement to acquire shares in Romanian BCR.
December 30, 2011
RZB Issued Participation Capital
The Austrian banking group optimizes its structure by acquiring shareholdings in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
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
Styrian Mining Company Causes Problems for Austrian Banks
The Austrian mining company Decometal has debts reaching € 250m. Now, the company will be restructured. Loans must be extended.
December 28, 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
Polbank: RBI wants to Lower Price
The Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International delays the closing of the acquisition. RBI negotiates over a reduction of the acquisition price.
December 27, 2011
Capital Increase for Raiffeisen Hungary
In light of massive loss expectations the Hungarian subsidiary will reduce its headcount and close down several branches.
December 23, 2011
EVN Raises Stake in Bulgarian Subsidiaries
The Austrian energy group acquired additional shares for € 45m in connection with the privatization process in Bulgaria.
December 21, 2011
Rise in Profits Expected for Immofinanz
Tomorrow, on Tuesday, the Austrian real estate company presents its results for the second quarter. EBIT should rise significantly.
December 19, 2011
Serbia Tries Privatization Again
After the privatization of Telekom Srbija has failed in spring 2011, the Serbian government tries again. Telekom Austria could still show interest.
December 19, 2011
Foreign Currency Loans: Austrian Banks Appreciate Hungarian Decision
Austrian banks reacted positively to the announcement of the Hungarian government to participate in costs for the conversion of foreign currency loans.
December 19, 2011
Bank Austria Reviews Strategy for CEE
In its expansion strategy, the bank focuses on four countries. Plans for Hungary and Romania are stopped, up to 450 jobs will be cut.
December 17, 2011
Gebrüder Weiss Builds New Branch in Czech Republic
In Jeneč, near Prague, the Austrian logistics supplier builds a new terminal with an office complex and cross-docking facilities. Investments amount to € 15m.
December 17, 2011
Uniqa Grows Quickly in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The insurance company’s premium volume increased by 14% in the first three quarters of the year.
December 16, 2011
VBAG Supervisory Board Resolves New Divisional Structure
The Austrian bank will sell its subsidiaries that are not part of the core business. The headcount will be reduced by 20% by the end of 2013.
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
S&T Aims to Achieve Turnaround in 2012
The Austrian information technology service provider wants to return to the profit zone. In 2012, turnover should reach € 220m at least.
December 14, 2011
VIG and Zurich Fight for Polish Warta
According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, the Swiss Zurich and the Austrian Vienna Insurance Group are the favorites for the acquisition of Warta.
December 14, 2011
Bulgaria Starts Sale of Share in EVN Bulgaria
The Bulgarian state withdraws from the Austrian energy company. 33% of the shares in EVN Bulgaria will be privatized.
December 13, 2011
Airport Zagreb: Strabag Not Awarded
Two offers for were submitted for the enlargement of Zagreb Airport. Strabag´s offer has been rejected.
December 13, 2011
Vienna International Considers IPO
The Austrian hotel operator aims to be quoted at Vienna Stock Exchange in the medium run. Further growth is planned.
December 12, 2011
Atrium Completes Acquisition of Shopping Centre in Poland
The Vienna-listed real estate company Atrium finished the acquisition of a € 55m project in the seventh largest city in Poland.
December 12, 2011
Erste Group Increases Stake in BCR to 82%
In connection with the implementation of agreements with the Romanian SIFs, Erste Group has acquired a further approx. 7% stake in BCR against cash and issuance of new shares.
December 12, 2011
Austrian Investor Interested in Croatian Aluminum Company
The Austrian financial investor Michael Tojner is a potential buyer of the Croatian aluminum manufacturer TLM-TVP, which is owned by Hypo Group.
December 10, 2011
Austria´s Industry Supports Croatia´s EU Accession
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce sees a huge interest of the domestic economy in Croatia´s EU accession. In 2010, Austria was the largest investor.
December 10, 2011