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