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
