Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Euro Adoption: Latvian People Not Convinced at All
Latvia´s government is proud of its austerity course of the last years. According to Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, the country is ready for the euro.
February 16, 2013
Public Debt: Austria´s Government Too Optimistic
The austerity targets of the Austrian government are not realistic. Above all, the official public debt level will increase significantly next year.
February 15, 2013
Fekter Wants to Reduce „Ageing Costs“
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter thinks that pension cuts are inevitable. The social democrats reject Fekter´s ideas.
February 15, 2013
European Economy: Nowotny Demonstrates Pessimism
This year, the economy of the Eurozone will shrink, the governor of Austrian National Bank says. Austria suffers from a weak domestic consumption, Nowotny explains.
February 15, 2013
“Financial transactions tax promotes fairness”
According to Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Spindelegger, the financial transactions tax is strengthening the competitiveness in Europe through targeted reforms.
February 15, 2013
Austrian Population at Record Level
Last year, Austria's population rose in 2012 by about 45 000 people. In total, the country has 8.5 million inhabitants.
February 15, 2013
“Tax on financial transaction is a big achievement for Austria”
“Our perseverance has paid a dividend” Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter said.
February 14, 2013
“Austria’s interests are best represented in a competitive EU”
State Secretary Lopatka underlines the necessity of maintaining competitiveness in the EU.
February 14, 2013
Austria Concludes Agreement on the Prohibition of Speculation
Minister of Finance Maria Fekter, Secretary of State Andreas Schieder, Conference Governor Markus Wallner, President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities Helmut Mödlhammer signed the agreement on the prohibition of speculation.
February 14, 2013
Spindelegger Hopes for “Speedy Conclusion of Free Trade Treaty”
Following the speech by US President Barack Obama, Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger hopes that negotiations on a free trade area between Europe and the US will be initiated shortly.
February 14, 2013
Slovenian Central Bank Wants to Boost Economic Growth
Since the middle of last year, the Bank of Slovenia and the Bank Association of Slovenia have been coordinating their action to improve the business conditions for the real sector.
February 14, 2013
Russia: Consumer Loans Growing Substantially
At the moment, the market for consumer loans is growing by 40%. The household indebtedness is still relatively low.
February 13, 2013
Massive Losses in Slovenian Banking Sector
Last year, the banking industry has recorded total losses of more than € 600m, the Slovenian business magazine “Finance” reports.
February 13, 2013
Fekter pleased With “Good data on Austria”
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter on Ecofin data: “We have some work to do on debt reduction and pension costs”.
February 13, 2013
“Mali to receive support from EU and Austria”
Development Ministers consult on new European development framework in Dublin.
February 13, 2013
S&P Downgrades Slovenia
Today, the U.S. rating agency has lowered the credit rating of the financially stricken country. Further downgrades are not unlikely.
February 13, 2013
IMF Supports Lithuania´s Aim to Enter Eurozone
In 2015, the Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone. According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the IMF welcomes this decision.
February 12, 2013
Russia Makes Oil to Gold
In the last decade, Russia´s government has transformed the oil exports into gold reserves. No other country has bought more gold in the last years.
February 12, 2013
“2012 was a good year for the domestic banking industry”
Ihor Sorkin, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine underlines that the performance of the Ukrainian banking industry was satisfying last year.
February 12, 2013
Bulgaria: Inflation Reaches 4.2%
The past 2012 ended with 4.2% annual inflation after in December the reported monthly increase of the price level totalled 0.4%, Raiffeisen Research Reports.
February 12, 2013
Slovakia: Tax Intake to Decrease
Despite the higher income tax rates, the Slovak state revenues are expected to fall by € 360m this year.
February 12, 2013
Spindelegger: “Acceptable Result for Austria”
“For Austria, this result is not exactly a reason to be euphoric, but it is important both for Europe and for us that we have managed to reach an agreement.” Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
February 12, 2013
Austrian Governing Parties Disagree on EU Budget
The Austrian people´s party (ÖVP) has criticized Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ). The social democrats argue that the coalition partner ÖVP has “no team sprit”.
February 11, 2013
Slovenia Faces New Elections
The Slovenian government is under massive pressure. A government collapse is more than likely.
February 11, 2013
Despite Budget Cut: Poland Receives More Money
“This is one of the happiest days of my life.” Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
February 11, 2013
Satisfying Fiscal Situation in Bulgaria
The 2012 budget deficit stands much lower than planned: 0.5% of GDP. Public debt falls after Eurobond repayment in January 2013, Raiffeisen Research analyzes.
February 11, 2013
Russia: National Bank Under Pressure
Russia´s National Bank faces a growing inflation rate. At the same time, the economic growth flattens.
February 9, 2013
Erdogan Praises Slovakia´s Support for Turkey
Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his gratitude to his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico for Slovekia´s support for Turkey´s EU membership.
February 9, 2013
„Slovenia Will Become a Star Again“
In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Presse”, Slovenia´s President Borut Pahor demonstrates optimism. He admits that many Slovenians feel injustice.
February 9, 2013
Voestalpine to Announce Decision on Expansion Into North America
The Austrian steel group plans a major investment in North America. According to voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, the decision will be announced in February.
February 9, 2013
“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“
Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.
February 9, 2013
EU Budget: Poland Among Main Beneficiaries
Although the EU budget was cut, Poland will receive more EU-funds than in the current period.
February 8, 2013
2014 - 2020: Austrian Net Contributions Rise Substantially
In the financial period from 2014 to 2020, Austria loses almost the half of its discount. The net contributions total € 1.15bn per year.
February 8, 2013
Ukraine: Foreign Exchange Reserves on the Rise
International reserves increased by USD 106 million over January 2013.
February 8, 2013
Poland Underlines Necessity of Cohesion Funds
At the EU summit, Poland wants to secure as much cohesion payments in the next multiannual financial framework from 2014 to 2020.
February 7, 2013
Klaus Recommends to Split Eurozone
According to the outgoing Czech President, the separation of the eurozone would be cheaper than maintaining the currency union.
February 7, 2013
Dispute Between Croatia and Slovenia Solved
Regarding the Slovenian banking group NLB, the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Croatian counterpart have found a compromise.
February 7, 2013
Hungary´s Economy to Recover?
Hungarian Minister of Economics György Matolcsy says that the country may achieve the turnaround this year. Last year, several adverse factors occurred at the same time, Matolcsy explained.
February 7, 2013
IMF Is Satisfied With Progress in Ukraine
This week, the meeting between the senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine and experts from the IMF's European Department took place in Kyiv. The co-operation will be intensified.
February 7, 2013
NBP Cut Interest Rate Again
The Council of the National Bank of Poland decided to decrease the interest rates by 0.25 percentage points.
February 7, 2013
Erdogan Met Orban in Budapest
Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Budapest. Orban praised the success of Turkey´s government.
February 6, 2013
Romania Privatizes Freight Division of National Railways
Romania´s government sells a 51% stake in CFR Marfa, the publicly held rail freight company.
February 6, 2013
Serbia: Key Policy Rate Raised to 11.75 Percent
In its meeting, the NBS Executive Board voted to raise the key policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 11.75 percent.
February 6, 2013
Romania Keeps Interest Rate Flat
In its meeting, the Board of the National Bank of Romania decided to keep the monetary policy rate unchanged at 5.25 percent per annum and too ensure adequate liquidity management in the banking system.
February 6, 2013
Necas Supports Turkish EU Membership
On the occasion of Prime Minister Erdogan´s visit in Prague, his Czech counterpart Necas assured to support Turkey´s candidacy.
February 6, 2013
Size of Austrian Bank Aid: € 20bn
Since 2008, the Austrian state has injected more than € 8bn into domestic banks. Guarantees total € 12bn.
February 5, 2013
„Hungary Needs Sustainable Reforms“
The IMF underline that the country must restore the confidence of international investors. At the moment, Hungary´s government is not forced to continue the talks with IMF.
February 5, 2013
Slovenia´s Banking Industry in Distress
Due to the economic crisis, the lending business goes down. The indebtedness of the real economy remains high. Funding costs are increasing.
February 5, 2013
Austrian Government May Put Veto Against EU Budget
Members of the Austrian government fear that Austria may lose its discount. The annual loss would come at more than € 180m.
February 5, 2013
„Croatia Has No Answer to the Crisis“
Economists fear that the economic crisis in Croatia will continue this year. The government does not implement enough reforms, observers say.
February 4, 2013
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