Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
CESEE: „The Growth Model Was not Sustainable“
Franz Seiringer, economist at EBRD, underlines that the CESEE countries are on the right track. The region is working on a new growth model, he told “Wirtschaftsblatt”.
October 29, 2013
Hungary: Junk Rating Remains
S&P has reiterated Hungary´s sovereign debt rating. Further cuts are not unlikely.
October 28, 2013
Romania: Taxes Expected to Be Raised
The local press reports that numerous anonymous sources from the larger ruling party say that the executive is considering a hike in profit and income tax.
October 28, 2013
Slovenia: Significant Decline in Business Confidence
Sentiment indicator lower than in the previous month In October 2013 (-13 percentage points) the sentiment indicator was 1 percentage point lower than in September 2013 (-12 percentage points).
October 28, 2013
Germany: Proceedings against Take-Over of Hypo Group to Start
On Thursday the Higher Regional Court in Munich has decided to admit the prosecution against the take-over of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, which had earlier been rejected by the Regional Court as implausible.
October 28, 2013
Poland: T-Bonds not to Affect Budget Deficit
According to GUS, next year’s budget deficit will not be impaired by the transfer of treasury bonds and other assets.
October 28, 2013
Voestalpine to Construct New Plants in China
The Austrian steel manufacturer will invest € 450m in new facilities and plans to triple revenues until 2020.
October 28, 2013
Albania Fighting NPLs
The Bank of Albania discusses introducing a policy for reducing non-performing loans and enhance lending.
October 28, 2013
Slovenia: Bailout Comes Closer
The ailing country is not expected to manage the financial crisis on its own. Calling for support from Brussels seems to be the last remaining alternative.
October 28, 2013
Czech Republic Faces Political Stalemate
The Czech elections did not bring clear power relationships. The social democrats have to form a government, though.
October 28, 2013
Hypo Group to Create Bad Bank
After months of considerations, the Austrian government will decide for the bad bank. The nationalized banking group will be a major burden for the state.
October 26, 2013
Bank Asset Review: Slovenia´s Government Satisfied
According to Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek, Slovenia´s government has received full support for the bank asset review. ECB´s point of view is more critical, however.
October 26, 2013
Czech Republic: Social Democrats Ahead
Although the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) rank first, the party is below expectations.
October 26, 2013
S&P Warns of Further Downgrade
The rating agency has kept the “AA+” rating. However, Austria has to put more effort into austerity measures, the rating agency stresses.
October 26, 2013
Czech Elections 2013: Tension Is Running High
Today, the Czech Republic holds new parliamentary elections. The Czech political landscape is expected to change fundamentally.
October 26, 2013
Southeastern Europe Initiates Common Economic Strategy
In Croatia´s capital Zagreb, the Southeast European countries agreed on putting more common effort into innovation based growth strategies.
October 26, 2013
Czech Republic: Social Democrats to Win
Tomorrow, the Czech Republic will hold early elections. All polls are indicating a clear change in power. Bohuslav Sobotka is expected to become the next head of government.
October 25, 2013
Without CESEE Business Alpine Would Still Exist
According to reports by auditor BDO and liquidator Stephan Riel, business in Austria remained profitable for insolvent construction company. If Alpine had never expanded business to CESEE it would still exist.
October 25, 2013
Hypo Group: Worst Expectations May be Exceeded
For the Austrian state, the ailing nationalized banking group may become a financial GSA. The legal dispute with the former owner BayernLB bears enormous dangers for Austria´s public finance.
October 25, 2013
Albania: World Bank Satisfied with Progress
Piero Cipollone, Executive Director of the World Bank Group visited Albania from October 21-22, 2013. In his role as Executive Director, he represents Albania’s interests as a shareholder on the World Bank’s Board.
October 25, 2013
Bulgarian President Calls for TTIP
Bulgaria’s economy would benefit from a free trade agreement between EU and USA.
October 25, 2013
EU Summit Calls for Finalization of Joint Guidelines for ESM
The EU Summit presses for faster changes to achieve the aim of a banking union.
October 25, 2013
Romania: Precautionary Financial Assistance Approved
The Council of the European Union has approved a new precautionary financial assistance program for Romania in extend of € 2bn in connection with a loan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
October 25, 2013
Austria to Remain at AA+
Austria has not yet been given back Standard & Poor’s Triple A.
October 25, 2013
Hungary: Orban Underlines National Sovereignty
On the occasion of Hungary´s national holiday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stressed the importance of values. The high public debt limits Hungary´s effective sovereignty, however.
October 24, 2013
Fiscal Policy: Austria in the Danger Zone
Although Austria´s public finances are relatively stable, the structural problems are growing year after year. The apparent stability involves big dangers.
October 24, 2013
Poland: Key Rate to Remain Low
In order to support the positive growth trend, the Polish National Bank (NBP) will keep the key rate flat next year. Poland´s economic growth is mainly based on foreign demand, though.
October 24, 2013
“We Need to Pull Down the Iron Curtain in Our Heads“
In an interview with Austrian daily “WirtschaftsBlatt“ Johannes Seiringer, Director of the Austrian office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) calls for incentives for enterprises to continue investing in CEE.
October 24, 2013
RBI Discussing New Ways of Global Banking Regulations
RBI welcomes global finance at the ICC Banking Commission Meeting 2013.
October 24, 2013
Czech Republic: Four Banks too Big to Fail
CNB has determined four domestic banks that could potentially endanger the country’s financial system in case of bankruptcy, as reported by daily “Hospodarske noviny” (HN).
October 24, 2013
Serbia: Komercijalna Banka Supported by EFSE
Serbian Komercijalna Banka received a credit line of € 20m from the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE).
October 24, 2013
ECB: “Uniform Assessment for Banks Important Step for Europe”
Assessment of ECB is an important step in the preparation of the single supervisory mechanism.
October 24, 2013
Serbia Wants to Become Full EU Member Asap
The Western Balkan is serious in building a relationship with the European Union.
October 23, 2013
Poland Intends to Keep Banking Sector Small
The Polish financial regulator intends to keep the frequency of bank shops low and avoid risks and bailout by this.
October 23, 2013
Public Debt: CESEE Countries Below EU Average
At the end of the first half of 2013, the EU public debt quota reached 86.8% of GDP. Western Europe´s public debt level is significantly higher than in Eastern Europe.
October 23, 2013
Croatia: 2012 Budget Deficit Revised
Because of the different EU methodology, Croatia had to revise its budget gap. The fiscal situation remains critical.
October 23, 2013
Slovenia: Govenor of National Bank demands “Change of Mentality”
At a lecture planned by the Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES), Bostjan Jazbec, govenor of Banka Slovenije, pointed out that the country could only blame itself for the current state it was in.
October 23, 2013
Austrian Banks Expected to Pass Auditing
According to the financial supervisors, the Austrian banks are likely to pass the ECB’s (European Central Bank) auditing since there are no significant adjustment requirements.
October 23, 2013
Slovenia: Real Estate Tax Wobbles
The ruling parties could not agree on a common standpoint yet. The controversial real estate tax may fail.
October 22, 2013
Poland: Economy Below Potential
In the first half of 2013, investments dropped significantly. Consumption was up moderately. In total, Poland´s economic growth accelerates gradually.
October 22, 2013
House Searches at Strabag Subsidiary in Croatia
The corruption scandal at the Croatian Chamber of Economy affects public road authority HAC and construction companies that were commissioned, among them Austrian Strabag and Alpine.
October 22, 2013
Amazon to Open Distribution Centers in the Czech Republic
The world’s largest online retailer Amazon plans to create 10,000 jobs in the Czech Republic within the next three years.
October 22, 2013
Slovenia: Banka Sparkasse Provided with Loan by EIB
EIB continues to support SME and mid-cap projects in Slovenia.
October 22, 2013
Austria: Bank Aids Burden State Budget
Since the beginning of the financial crisis, Austria has lost billions of Euros.
October 22, 2013
Serbia Cuts Interest Rate
The executive board of the Serbian National Bank decided to lower the key policy rate by half a percentage point, to 10.5 percent.
October 21, 2013
EBRD Analyzes Slovenia´s Difficulties
From October 21 to 25, a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will visit the ailing country.
October 21, 2013
Eurozone: Economy Starting to Grow
Experts at Ernst&Young; forecast economic growth of 0.9 percent in 2014 in consequence of an improved global economic performance.
October 21, 2013
German Rail Manufacturing Plant of Voestalpine to be Closed
At the end of October voestalpine will shut down its rail manufacturing plant TSTG Schienen Technik GmbH & Co KG in Duisburg, Germany.
October 21, 2013
Austria: State Debts Could Amount to 74.5 Percent of GDP
The statistical office of the European Union, Eurostat, raised doubts about the Austrian budget deficit and public debts because of the financial scandal of the government of the province of Salzburg.
October 21, 2013
Hypo Group Reigned by Greed and Criminal Activities
In an interview with Austrian daily “Standard“ forensic expert of nationlized Hypo Group Christian Böhler revealed that former managers of the bank enriched themselves personally.
October 21, 2013
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