Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis

Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria

Ukrainian National Bank Stresses Stability of National Currency

The National Bank of Ukraine was able to ensure hryvnia stability – by results of the expert meeting. Inflation could be kept at 0.00% in the first nine months of 2012.

November 20, 2012

OMV Underlines Necessity of Shale Gas Production

The Austrian oil and gas group stresses that shale gas may reduce the dependency on Russian natural gas.

November 20, 2012

Vienna´s Debt Level Grows Considerably

In 2013, the public debt level of Austria´s capital will increase to € 4.34bn.

November 19, 2012

Poland: Pawlak Steps Down

The Polish Minister of Economics Waldemar Pawlak resigns. His re-election as leader of the Agrarian Party has failed.

November 19, 2012

Austria: Prosperity Gap Grows Further

The economic disparities between Austrians continue to increase. 855,000 Austrians are affected of poverty.

November 19, 2012

EU Budget: Losses for Poland Will Keep Within Limits

Poland will still be the biggest net contributor. According to Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the negotiations prove highly difficult.

November 17, 2012

Serbia Attempts New Economic Reforms

The Serbian government does not only want to pursue a strict austerity policy. The country aims to become more attractive for international investors.

November 17, 2012

Belka: Polish Economy Will Recover In 2013

The governor of the Polish National Bank (NBP) Marek Belka demonstrates optimism.

November 17, 2012

Hungary: Next Austerity Package Resolved

The Hungarian government is caught between the need to lower the budget deficit and to support economic growth.

November 17, 2012

Austria´s Budget Deficit to Decrease Slightly

Today, the Austrian National Assembly has resolved the budget for 2013. This year, Austria will not fulfill the Maastricht Criteria.

November 16, 2012

Treichl: Austria Should Cooperate with CEE Countries

Erste Group´s CEO Andreas Treichl thinks that CEE countries and Austria should create a model region in Europe like the Scandinavian countries did.

November 16, 2012

Vienna: General Attractiveness Decreases

The quality of the Viennese business location deteriorates. The high degree of bureaucracy and the high non-wage labor costs are the most problematic issues.

November 16, 2012

“Austria is a committed partner in the security field”

Austrian Foreign Ministry: New security threats and regional conflicts discussed with Russian National Security Advisor.

November 16, 2012

S&P Upgrades Latvia

The Baltic country performs well, S&P underlines. The long and short-term sovereign credit rating moved from “BBB-/A-3” to “BBB/A-2”.

November 15, 2012

NBP: Further Interest Cuts Likely

The Polish National Bank may reduce the base rate further. Poland´s economy is expected to slow down next year.

November 15, 2012

„Greece Has No Future in Eurozone“

The Czech President Klaus thinks that the Eurozone could bear a Greek exit without any problems.

November 15, 2012

EU Budget: Austria Faces Massive Cuts

After the negotiations have failed, the Commission presented a new draft. Major cuts for Austria seem inevitable.

November 14, 2012

Austria Third Largest Investor in Czech Republic

According to the Czech President Vaclav Klaus, his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl, the bilateral trade relations are expandable.

November 14, 2012

“Intensifying the dialogue between the EU and the Arab League"

Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League and the EU in Cairo

November 14, 2012

State Visit: Klaus Received by Fischer

Today, the Czech President Vaclav Klaus has met his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer in Vienna. The commonalities are rather small.

November 13, 2012

Romania Hopes for New IMF Loan

The economic situation remains gloomy. Foreign direct investments are weakening. The economic outlook is rather decent.

November 13, 2012

Hungary: Head of Banking Association Resigns

The chairman of the Hungarian Banking Association Mihaly Patai steps down. He explains that the Hungarian state overburdens the banking sector.

November 13, 2012

"Important step towards opening the Nigerian export market"

Austria concludes investment protection agreement with Nigeria.

November 13, 2012

Austria: Black Labor Costs € 3.5bn Per Year

The economist Friedrich Schneider explains that the size of black labor comes at € 19.6bn per year in Austria.

November 12, 2012

Slovenia Still Rules Out Calling for Rescue

The Slovenian government tries to prevent to be bailed out by the EU and IMF by all means. However, experts fear that Slovenia is the next candidate for the safety net.

November 10, 2012

EU Budget: Austria Threatens to Veto

Austria´s Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger explains that cuts in the agricultural sector will not be accepted.

November 10, 2012

Fekter Underlines Austerity Policy

Fitch rating agency assigns its best triple A rating to Austria, praising in particular the stability and reform package approved in March.

November 10, 2012

Czech Republic to Enlarge Nuclear Energy Production

Until 2014, the Czech Republic wants to double the share of nuclear energy production. The Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants will be enlarged.

November 9, 2012

Austrian Government Agrees on Bank Restructuring Law

“The agreements at government conference are intended to strengthen financial sector.” Finance Minister Maria Fekter says.

November 9, 2012

Fitch Confirms AAA for Austria

The outlook is „stable“. The rating agency is worried about the banking sector, however.

November 9, 2012 · Updated: November 9, 2012; 17:13

Austria´s GDP Could be € 27bn Higher

The insufficient infrastructure costs economic growth. According to the “Future Austria Infrastructure Report 2013”, Austria´s economic performance could be substantially better.

November 8, 2012

Slovenia and Austria to Deepen Co-Operation

The Slovenian Minister of Economics Radovan Zerjav and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl want to intensifiy the economic co-operation.

November 8, 2012

New Record for Bilateral Trade Between Poland and Austria

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce underlines the close and friendly relationships between Poland and Austria.

November 8, 2012

Hungary´s Budget Deficit Below 3.0%

The EU Commission estimates that Hungary´s budget deficit will comply with the Maastricht Criteria in 2012 and 2013. However, the deficit may exceed the 3.0% threshold in 2014.

November 8, 2012

Polish National Bank Cuts Interest Rate

In order to support economic growth, NBP decided to ease its monetary policy.

November 8, 2012

Nowotny: More Power for Big Countries

The governor of Austrian National Bank OeNB Ewald Nowotny proposes to amend the voting rights at ECB.

November 7, 2012

Romania: Joining Eurozone Will Take up to 30 Years

Economists think that Romania´s economy is far from being ready for the euro. The convergence process may take decades.

November 7, 2012

Slovenia: Creation of Bad Bank Should Solve Credit Crunch

At the moment, the Slovenian banking sector does not fulfill its main task. The real industry suffers from a credit crunch.

November 6, 2012

Future of Czech Government Uncertain

Although Prime Minister Petr Necas was confirmed as party leader of the governing ODS, the government is still threatened to collapse.

November 6, 2012

Poland: Lending Criteria to Tighten

According to the Polish National Bank (NBP), banks will tighten lending conditions further. NBP wants to support economic growth, but has to prevent a credit bubble.

November 6, 2012

Romania: Joining Eurozone is „Not for Sure”

Romania´s Prime Minister Victor Ponta expressed his concerns about introducing the euro in Romania.

November 5, 2012

Hungary: New Threats for Banks

The Hungarian government plans to take over debts from small municipalities. Banks fear that the Hungarian state demands a debt relief.

November 5, 2012

South Stream Pipeline: Gazprom Concludes Contract with Hungary

The Russian energy group Gazprom has negotiated the last conditions of the contract with Serbia and Hungary.

November 2, 2012

Rostowski: Poland´s Economic Slowdown “Only Temporary”

Regarding the medium-term economic development, the Polish Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski proves confidence.

November 2, 2012

CNB: Interest Rate at Historical Low

Today, the Czech National Bank (CNB) decided to cut the interest rate to 0.05%. Now, foreign exchange interventions are the only tool for CNB.

November 2, 2012

Erdogan Tries to Put Pressure on EU

The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warns of postponing the EU accession of his country.

October 31, 2012

Hungary Cuts Interest Rates Again

The Council of Hungarian National Bank, which is dominated by representatives of the Hungarian government decided to cut the base rate from 6.50% to 6.25%.

October 31, 2012

Lithuania´s Government Aims to Join Eurozone

The social democrat Algirdas Butkevicius may become Lithuania´s next Prime Minister. His main targets are austerity and the accession to the Eurozone.

October 31, 2012

EU Budget Cuts would Affect Poland

In the last six years, Poland benefitted substantially from EU funds. A cut of € 23bn is being discussed.

October 30, 2012

Czech Republic and Slovakia: Nuclear Power Remains Main Energy Source

The Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico underline that nuclear energy will remain the future technology.

October 30, 2012