Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Bulgaria: Stop of Constructing Nuclear Power Plant in Belene
Together with Russia, Bulgaria stopped the controversial construction of a nuclear power plant in Belene close to the Danube.
March 1, 2013
Bulgaria: Economy to Stabilize
Despite the enormous political instability, Bulgaria is expected to record positive growth rates this year.
February 28, 2013
Bulgaria: Protestors Want Radical Reforms
The atmosphere in the poorest EU country remains tense. The citizens want a new constitution.
February 28, 2013
Austrian Budget: Pensions as Risk Factor
Until 2017, the additional burden has a size of € 1.0bn, Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter says in an interview with “Presse”.
February 28, 2013
Hungary Enlarges Railway Network
State Secretary on Foreign Relations Peter Szijjarto announced that MAV (Hungarian Railways) starts its biggest investment program since WWII.
February 28, 2013
Fekter Pleased with New Banking Regulations
Austrian Minister of Finance: "Agreement stabilizes banking sector, protects taxpayers and strengthens Austrian SMEs".
February 28, 2013
Slovenia: Bratusek New Head of Government
Today, Slovenia´s Lower House of Parliament has elected a new Prime Minister. Janez Jansa continues to manage the government business.
February 27, 2013
Slovakia: Economic Growth Almost Coming to Still-Stand
Growth estimates are lower than predicted by NBS. Export sales lag behind and the domestic economy is in a recession. Opposing parties blame the new labor regulations.
February 27, 2013
Slovenia: Jansa Remains Prime Minister
Today, Slovenia´s Parliament will elect a new official head of government. However, Jansa will continue the government business.
February 27, 2013
Euro Adoption: Poland Has No Fixed Date Yet
For the time being, Poland wants to meet the Maastricht Criteria. The date for entering the Eurozone will be fixed in 2015.
February 27, 2013
Slovakia: Unemployment Rate Reaches All-time High
Prime Minister Fico blames stagnating economy for highest unemployment rate since 2004.
February 27, 2013
Slovakia Transforms Banks into Branches
The draft amendment to the Banking Act will not affect competition, the National Bank of Slovakia said.
February 27, 2013
Ukraine and EU Signed Memorandum of Understanding and Loan Agreement
Memorandum for the stability of Ukraine’s finance and economy was signed on the EU-Ukraine Summit.
February 27, 2013
Hungary Cuts Interest Rate
Due to the economic crisis, Hungary´s National Bank (MNB) has lowered the interest rate from 5.50% to 5.25%.
February 26, 2013
Austria Stresses Importance of Human Rights Conference
Austrian Foreign Ministry: "Carry on from the outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights 1993".
February 26, 2013
Poland: Economy Seems to Recover Again
Marek Belka, head of NBP, assumes that the worst part for Poland’s economy might be over.
February 26, 2013
CEZ: Czech Republic Calls Brussels for Help
After the Czech energy group CEZ has lost its license in Bulgaria, the Czech government wants Brussels to put pressure on Sofia.
February 25, 2013
Austria: Economic Outlook Remains Cautious
Although Austria´s economy suffers from a number of major defects, the performance is still better than in the Eurozone.
February 25, 2013
Poland: Rostowki’s Fight for the Euro
Even though Poland’s rating outlook has been revised from “A-“ to “A” by Fitch it still has to face political reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness.
February 24, 2013
Bulgaria: Protests Continue in Sofia and Varna
Bulgarian political decisions are afflicted by extreme unpopularity as almost 60 % of the population suffers from immediate poverty. Riots continue in Sofia and Varna.
February 24, 2013
Austria Become Second Most Important Trading Partner for Hungary
Last year, only the foreign trade volume between Hungary and Germany was higher. Peter Szijjarto, spokesman of Prime Minister Viktor Orban´s party Fidesz says.
February 23, 2013
Austria: Felderer Warns of Property Taxes
The economist believes that already the discussion about property taxes is damaging the Austrian business location.
February 23, 2013
Poland: Nuclear Power Plant Project Wobbles
Poland´s Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski explained that Poland cannot afford the nuclear power plant.
February 23, 2013
EU Financial Framework: Romania Is a Clear Winner
In the financial period from 2014 to 2020, Romania would be able to receive EUR 39.2bn from the European Union.
February 23, 2013
Ukrainian Banking Sector Shows Small Progress
NBU, the National Bank of Ukraine stresses that deposits and lending is growing decently. The inflation remains low.
February 22, 2013
“No further tightening of corporate credit conditions”
The Hungarian National Bank has today published the results of its latest lending survey. The survey conducted in January 2013 found that credit conditions for non-financial corporations had not been tightened further.
February 22, 2013
Situation in Bulgaria Remains Tense
After the resignation of the Bulgarian government, the political atmosphere is at a tipping point. The protests continue and are broadening.
February 21, 2013
Poland: Rostowski Becomes Deputy Prime Minister
Poland´s government has completed a government reshuffle. Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski was promoted to Donald Tusk´s Deputy Prime Minister.
February 21, 2013
Romania: Key Rate to Remain Unchanged
“In line with our expectations and market consensus, the central bank remained on hold at its latest monetary policy meeting (5 February)”, Raiffeisen Research reports.
February 21, 2013
Ukraine: Hryvnia Expected to Weaken Slightly
Hryvnia enjoyed good support at the market in early 2013 amid diminished depreciation expectations and accelerated debt inflows, Raiffeisen Research reports.
February 21, 2013
Poland: Rostowski Wants to Cut the Interest Rates
According to Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski, the real interest rates are still too high. Rostowski wants to boost economic growth.
February 21, 2013
IMF Visits Croatia Again
A Mission of the International Monetary Fund, led by Nikolay Gueorguiev, arrived in Croatia for its usual semi-annual visit.
February 21, 2013
Austria: Controversy About Property Taxes
According to Christian Keuschnigg, director of IHS, property taxes would have a negative impact on economic growth and the employment situation.
February 20, 2013
Ukraine: Budget Deficit Grows Considerably
General government deficit increased to 5.5% of GDP in 2012 (from 4.2% in 2011) amid feeble tax revenue performance, Raiffeisen Research says.
February 20, 2013
Vienna´s Position as CEE-Hub Is Endangered
The number of multinational companies which withdraw their sub-headquarters from Vienna is growing, experts say.
February 20, 2013
Ukraine: Deal With IMF to be Cut in Summer
The visit of IMF mission to Kyiv did not bring the immediate results. Raiffeisen Research expects the negotiations to be rather prolonged.
February 20, 2013
Bulgarian Government Resigns
This step came as a surprise. Before, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov rejected to step down. In April, the country will hold new elections.
February 20, 2013
Bulgaria Cuts Energy Prices
After heavy citizens´ protests, the Bulgarian government has lowered the energy prices by 8%. Moreover, the Czech energy group CEZ loses its license.
February 19, 2013
S&P Warns Austria of Election Gifts
This year, Austria will hold federal elections. According to S&P, expensive election gifts may reduce the credit rating outlook.
February 19, 2013
Protests in Bulgaria Threaten to Escalate
Despite the resignation of Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov, the protests go on and may turn into riots. The opposition wants to hold new elections.
February 19, 2013
Austrian Business Location Still Popular
According to a survey carried out by ABA Invest Austria, Austria ranks third in Europe.
February 19, 2013
Austria: Number of Naturalisations Increases
7 107 persons acquired Austrian citizenship in 2012.
February 18, 2013
Poland: Rostowski Calls for Structural Reforms
Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski wants his country to join the Eurozone. However, Poland has to implement fiscal reforms, he claims.
February 18, 2013
Estonians Suffer from Unfavorable Working Conditions
According to a survey carried out by the daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht, a considerably high number of Estonians want to leave the country. The situation in Lativa is almost the same.
February 18, 2013
Romania Almost Stagnates
Last year, Romania´s economy could prevent a recession. The GDP growth came at 0.2%.
February 18, 2013
Bulgarian Minister of Finance Resigns
Due to the citizens´ protests against the government´s austerity cuts, Simeon Djankov steps down as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
February 18, 2013
NBU: “Banking Industry Shows an Upward Trend”
Mr. Oleksii Tkachenko, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, believes that overall 2012 was a successful year for the domestic banking industry.
February 18, 2013
Financial Transactions Tax: Austria Expects Tax Intake of € 500m
The Austria government is optimistic to reach the fiscal goal. The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns of detrimental effects for the real economy.
February 16, 2013
IMF Praises Lithuania´s Economic Recovery
According to the International Monetary Fund, the income redistribution is not sufficient. In general, Lithuania´s economic performance is satisfying, however.
February 16, 2013
Hypo Group: Sale of Austrian Unit „at a Late Stage”
According to Hypo Group, the results of the Austrian unit for 2012 are “highly satisfying”.
February 16, 2013
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