Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Hungarian MOL May Withdraw from Croatia
The Hungarian government considers selling MOL´s Croatian peer INA.
October 4, 2013
Austria: Downsizing Models for Hypo
Currently, everything revolves around the establishing of a bad bank despite of Finance Minister Maria Fekter’s objection. However, now, after the elections, this issue needs to be resolved.
October 4, 2013
Economic Recovery and Interest Rate Turnaround Also in Austria?
Not only Germany but also the peripheral areas of the European Union see economic recovery supported by an increasing export activity.
October 3, 2013
Romania: Consumption Remains Sluggish
In order to support Romania´s economy, the National Bank of Romania continues its monetary easing policy.
October 3, 2013
Poland Increases Funding for SMEs
According to Polish Finance Minister Rostowski, the government plans on extending a funding program for the support of small and medium sized companies in order to improve the country’s economy.
October 3, 2013
World Bank Supports Financial Reporting in CESEE
The World Bank launched a new program to strengthen corporate financial reporting in the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
October 3, 2013
UniCredit Toying With Idea of Take-Over in Poland
Italian bank UniCredit considers to extend business at the growing Polish market by a take-over.
October 3, 2013
Moody’s Honors Austrian Banks in CESEE
Only a year ago, the rating agency downgraded Austria because of its banks’ engagement in Eastern Europe. However, the situation has changed to the better.
October 3, 2013
EU Commission to Lead Cartel Proceedings Against Gazprom
The Russian energy giant Gazprom might face penalties of up to € 11bn.
October 3, 2013
Austria Well Positioned in Global Economic Integration
According to a recent study by the Vienna Institute for Economic Studies (wiiw), Austria is well positioned in the global production and economic integration.
October 3, 2013
Poland: NBP Holds Interest Rate Flat
In order to support Poland´s economy, the Council of Polish National Bank has decided to keep the base rate at its historic low.
October 3, 2013
Austria: Pussyfooting around Forming Government Coalition
The Austrian People’s Party is picky in regard to choosing a coalition partner. So far the ÖVP has shown no interest in starting coalition talks with former partner SPÖ. However, there are not many options left.
October 2, 2013
Ukraine: Clashes between Police and Protesters
During a demonstration against the government in Kiev on Wednesday clashed occurred between police forces and around 400 supporters of the opposition.
October 2, 2013
Economic Upturn in Austria, Eurozone and CEE
Turbulent Emerging Market conditions have little impact on CEE.
October 2, 2013
Austria: Better off within Eurozone
Economic experts claim that since the beginning of the single currency union, Austria has seen an additional economic growth of 0.4 percent. According to them, a collapse of the Eurozone would lead to a massive decline in exports.
October 2, 2013
New Economic Strategy for SEE
On Tuesday, economic experts held a meeting in the Albanian capital Tirana to examine a draft strategy for development and employment in the SEE region until the year 2020.
October 2, 2013
Croatia Tries to Avoid Bail-Out by IMF
The 28th EU member country has severe fiscal problems. In order to avoid the IMF, Croatia borrows about $ 1.5bn on the U.S. market.
October 2, 2013
IMF Watches Serbia Carefully
Serbia still considers entering a loan agreement with the IMF. First talks were initiated this week.
October 1, 2013
Slovenia: Asset Quality Deteriorates Rapidly
The government of the financially stricken country comes more and more under pressure. In meantime, about 17% of the Slovenian loans are classified as “risky”.
October 1, 2013
Hungary: Budget Deficit Higher Than Planned
In the first half of 2013, Hungary´s preliminary deficit came at 2.6% of GDP. The government anticipates that the deficit will not exceed 3.0% of GDP this year.
October 1, 2013
Austria: Struggling to Keep up with Economic Growth and Competitiveness
IV demands overhaul of funding policy by the government so that Austria will improve in international competitiveness.
October 1, 2013
Poland: Majority Still against Joining Eurozone
According to a poll, 52 percent of Polish citizens regard the country’s joining the single currency union will be bad for the country.
October 1, 2013
Modest Increase in Croatian Purchase Power
Croatian per capita consumer spending is forecast to increase by a modest 18% to 2017.
October 1, 2013
Slovenia to Decide about Selling of Telekom Slovenije
The Slovenian government will decide upon the fate of Telekom Slovenije on Thursday, October 3.
October 1, 2013
Serbia’s EU Accession Talks to Start in January 2014
Talks on Serbia's EU accession to start no later than January.
October 1, 2013
Austria: Unemployment Will Not Stop Increasing
In September, the number of persons unemployed continued to increase while employment rose slightly. In total, a number of 335,661 persons were jobless which makes an increase of 13.8 percent on an annual comparison.
October 1, 2013
Austrian Banking Package: Costs May Reach € 30bn
In total, the burden for Austrian taxpayers is expected to reach up to 10% of GDP.
October 1, 2013
Poland´s Budget Gap Narrows
The Polish government has approved the final budget draft for 2014.
October 1, 2013
Austrian Competitiveness Under Pressure
Last year, Austrian labor costs grew stronger than productivity.
October 1, 2013
Upward Trend in Poland´s Labor Market
The unemployment quota stabilizes at a high level. Poland´s economic outlook improves gradually.
October 1, 2013
Slovenian Government to Approve Adjusted Budget
The Slovenian government today plans on implementing the revised budget for next year and the draft for the 2015 budget.
September 30, 2013
Eurozone: Inflation Drops to 1.1 Percent
According to first estimates by Eurostat, the Eurozone shows the lowest inflation rate in more than a year. Only twelve months ago the inflation rate was at 2.7 percent.
September 30, 2013
Romania Cuts Base Rate to Record Low
The Romanian Central Bank has cut the base rate to a record low of 4.25 percent.
September 30, 2013
Rosneft Wants to Take over Majority of TNK-BP
The World’s biggest oil company Rosneft intends taking over British-Russian joint venture TNK-BP at the beginning of next year.
September 30, 2013
Austria: IV Warns Policy-Makers
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) considers the low voter’s turnout as an alarming sign.
September 30, 2013
Austria: Public Debt Increased to 74.0 Percent of GDP
Public finances 2012: public deficit at 2.5 percent, public debt at 74.0 percent of GDP.
September 30, 2013
Austrian Industry Continues Upward Trend
Developments in Austria follow the European trend.
September 30, 2013
Hypo Group: Sale of Assets in SEE to Take Forms
The nationalized Austrian bank Hypo Group sells its assets in Southeastern Europe. The SEE-holding company will be established until the beginning of October.
September 29, 2013
Austrian Elections 2013: Government Punished by the Voters
The two governing parties SPÖ and ÖVP have reached their worst results ever. Nevertheless, nothing will change in Austria.
September 29, 2013
Austrian Elections 2013: Governing Parties Lose Moderately
The Austrian political landscape has changed. New parties will enter the Austrian Parliament. Nevertheless, there is no realistic alternative to the “grand coalition” between SPÖ and ÖVP.
September 29, 2013 · Updated: September 29, 2013; 17:59
Austrian Elections 2013: Majority of Government Wobbles
Tomorrow, Austria will hold elections. The coalition between the social democrats (SPÖ) and the conservatives (ÖVP) has to fear that the majority may be lost.
September 28, 2013
Poland: Pension Scheme Reform to be Eased
At the beginning of September, Poland´s government decided to re-nationalize the pension system. Now, the government considers relativizing the reform.
September 28, 2013
"European bank supervision sends a strong signal to financial markets"
Austrian Federal Minister of Finance Maria Fekter welcomes favourable European Parliament decision on bank supervision.
September 28, 2013
Czech Republic: Working Poor Class Grows
In total, about one million Czechs fall into the category of employed poor. Their number is growing substantially.
September 28, 2013
Hungary is Seeking New Creditors
The Hungarian public debt agency AKK intends to sell more sovereign bonds in Asia. Compared to other European countries, Hungary´s debt burden causes severe difficulties.
September 27, 2013
Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent
Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.
September 27, 2013
Austria: Kapsch Demands Reform Agenda From New Government
Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demands the next federal government to introduce a comprehensive reform agenda.
September 27, 2013
Croatia: Entry into Schengen Important, Not Decisive
Croatia plans to apply for accession to the Schengen passport-free area in two years.
September 27, 2013
Czech Republic: No Foreign Exchange Interventions
As the Czech economy shows first signs of recovery, the Czech National Bank (CNB) decided against further monetary instruments.
September 27, 2013
Slovakia: Economic Upward Trend Supports Fiscal Targets
After six consecutive quarters of economic deceleration, Slovakia faces better economic data. The positive trend helps Slovakia´s government.
September 26, 2013
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