Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Austrian Post: New Supervisory Board President Elected
Rudolf Kemler was appointed as new chairman of the supervisory board.
October 11, 2012
Albania to Become Official Candidate
The Western Balkan country was recommended by the EU Commission. Serbia and Kosovo must reach a “sustainable solution”.
October 10, 2012
Orban Rejects Joining Eurozone
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thinks that the introduction of the euro in Hungary would be “irresponsible”.
October 10, 2012
Fekter Welcomes Entry into Force of ESM
Austria´s Minister of Finance "No cause for celebration, however, as we are still in the middle of stabilising the Eurozone."
October 10, 2012
Austrian Presents Piorities for the “EU budget of the future”
State Secretary Lopatka in the EU Sub-Committee of the National Council.
October 10, 2012
Fekter Happy With Financial Transaction Tax
Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter: "We have only created the on-ramp to the highway – details and structure to follow by Christmas“
October 10, 2012
Serbia´s National Bank Fights Against Inflation
Today, the Serbian National Bank raised the base rate from 10.50% to 10.75%. IMF has lowered the economic outlook for Serbia.
October 9, 2012
“Austria´s Capital Market Needs Reforms”
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) calls for increasing the attractiveness of the Austrian capital market.
October 9, 2012
Austria´s Population to Grow Substantially
Austrian population will increase to 9 million inhabitants during the next 20 years.
October 9, 2012
Financial Transaction Tax to be Introduced
Now, the financial transaction tax has enough supporters. After months of negotiations, eleven EU member countries finally agreed on introducing a financial transaction tax.
October 9, 2012
Hypo Group: Difficult Negotiations with Austrian State
The nationalized banking group urgently needs a capital injection. This year, the capital shortfall will be reduced by € 1.5bn.
October 9, 2012
„Nabucco Is not Dead at All“
The EU-Commissioner of Energy Günther Oettinger is optimistic that Nabucco will be successful. According to Austria´s Minister of Economics Reinhold Mitterlehner, the prospects of success are “50+”.
October 9, 2012
Austria Appreciates Portugal’s Efforts of Budget Consolidation
State Secretary Lopatka meets with Portuguese State Secretary for EU Affairs, Luis Miguel Morais Leitão.
October 8, 2012
Flat Tax in Austria?
The Austrian opposition party presented a “fair tax” model. The other parties criticized the proposal fiercely.
October 6, 2012
Poland: Long-Term Unemployment Becomes Problematic for State Budget
According to the consulter Deloitte, Poland is losing billions because of the long-term unemployment.
October 6, 2012
Savers Must Pay for Debt Crisis
At the European Forum Alpbach, analysts explained that the debt crisis can only be solved through negative real interest rates.
October 6, 2012
Support for Financial Transaction Tax Keeps Within Limits
In order to introduce the tax, nine countries must agree thereon. The time pressure is growing.
October 6, 2012
"Vienna is becoming an energy hub"
New UN Office for Sustainable Energy opens in Vienna.
October 6, 2012
New Austerity Package in Hungary
In order to cut the budget defict below 3.0% of GDP in 2013, the Hungarian government plans further cuts and tax increases.
October 5, 2012
Poland´s Komorowski: “Strong Swiss Franc Causes Problems”
On the occasion of a visit in Switzerland, the Polish President Bronislav Komorowski explained that the strong Swiss franc is a problem for both countries.
October 5, 2012
Slovenia to Sharpen Austerity Measures
The Slovenian centre-right government announces new austerity cuts. The budget deficit should be lowered to 3.0% of GDP.
October 5, 2012
Fekter Appeals on Banks to Prevent Credit Crunch
Banks should be more creative in financing the real economy instead of creating new financial products, she says.
October 5, 2012
"Serbia can count on Austria to be its partner"
The Austrian State Secretary encourages Serbia to embark on pro-European course.
October 5, 2012
India and Austria Sign Agreement on Shipping
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technology Cooperation in the Shipping and Ports Infrastructure was signed on Wednesday between India and Austria, IBNS reports.
October 5, 2012
Mitterlehner: „No Economic Stimulus Package“
Austria´s Minister of Economics rejects another stimulus package for the Austrian industrial sector. The budgetary situation would not allow that, he says.
October 4, 2012
ESM: Slovakia Pays € 264m
In October, the Slovak government will transfer € 264m to ESM. This will be the first two installments.
October 4, 2012
Eastern Europe Remains Austria´s Future Region
The Austrian economist Christian Keuschnigg thinks that the opening of Austrian companies toward Eastern Europe was a “highly favourable event”.
October 4, 2012
Orange to Withdraw from Austria?
Insiders report that the third-largest telecommunication service supplier in Austria may leave. The merger with Hutchison is in a critical condition.
October 4, 2012
Poland´s National Bank Holds Interest Rate
After analysts expected that the Polish NBP cut the interest rate, the decision to hold the rate at 4.75% came as a surprise.
October 4, 2012
EU as „Serbia´s Most Important Market“
The U.S. economist Paul Krugman thinks that Serbia´s future is the European Union. The EU is worried about the turn towards Russia.
October 4, 2012
Austrian Socialists Call for New Taxes
The governing SPÖ wants to introduce new property and inheritance taxes.
October 4, 2012
Austria: Tax Fraud on the Rise
VAT evasion will come at € 2.3bn year, experts say. This is an increase by 5%.
October 3, 2012
Nine Prime Minister Discuss EU Budget in Bratislava
The Prime Ministers of nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe will meet in the Slovak capital on October 5.
October 3, 2012
Slovakia Abolishes Flat Tax
Because of the austerity pressure, Slovakia gives up its flat tax. The corporation income tax rate increases to 23% from 19%.
October 3, 2012
IMF Puts Pressure on Slovenia
Slovenia is urged to implement quick reforms. Otherwise the country may have to be bailed out by the safety net.
October 3, 2012
Bulgaria: Bank Secret Wobbles
The Bulgarian National Bank warns of an easing of the bank secret. The Bulgarian Parliament argues that the bank secret protects money laundering activities.
October 3, 2012
Poland to Increase Flexibility of Labor Market
The Polish Ministry of Social Affairs prepares an “anti-crisis-package”.
October 3, 2012
Austrian Railways to be Privatized?
ÖVP (Austrian People´s Party) again pushes for a privatization of ÖBB (Austrian Railways). The sale of the freight division would be conceivable, ÖVP´s chairman Michael Spindelegger says.
October 2, 2012
Poland: Interest Cut Expected
The Polish National Bank NBP is anticipated to announce a cut in the base rate. At the moment, the base rate stands at 4.75%.
October 2, 2012
Slovakia: Budget Deficit Decreased Slightly
Last month, the Slovak state deficit was down to € 2.59bn. In August, the deficit stood at € 2.68bn.
October 2, 2012
Tax Deal with Switzerland: No Referendum
The opponents of the treaty between Austria and Switzerland could not collect enough votes. About 47,500 signatures could be collected.
October 2, 2012
Fekter: “Greece Shows Progress”
Austria´s Finance Minister praises Greece's efforts to improve its situation.
October 2, 2012
Financial Transaction Tax: Austrian Government Under Pressure
In its last austerity package, the Austrian government has anticipated a financial transaction tax to be introduced in 2014. The time pressure is growing.
October 2, 2012
Hungarian Budget Deficit Growing Quickly
According to preliminary data the deficit of the general government sector in the first half of 2012 was HUF 393 billion, 2.8% of GDP. Although the deficit is smaller than last year, the 2012 target will not be met.
October 2, 2012
Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax
The Austrian Minister of Finance wrote a letter to the EU Commission. She argues that a financial transaction tax would be economically reasonable.
October 1, 2012
Slovenian Recession Aggravates
In 2012, the Slovenian economy is expected to shrink by 1.8%. Next year, Slovenia will not have reached the growth zone.
October 1, 2012
Austrian Budget Targets Will Not Hold
In August, Finance Minister Maria Fekter underlined that the budget deficit will not exceed 2.9% of GDP. Due to the banking package, the budget deficit will be higher, though.
October 1, 2012
Hungary: Budget Targets Endangered to Fail
In August, Hungary´s budget deficit has almost reached the full year´s level. Analysts doubt whether Hungary may achieve a 2.5% budget deficit this year.
October 1, 2012
Bank Secret: Semeta Criticizes Austria´s Position
According to the EU Commissioner Algirdas Semeta, Austria´s bank secret is “out-dated”. He criticizes that Austria and Luxembourg still reject to give up the bank secret.
October 1, 2012
Hungary Prohibits Slot Machines
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the national security would be endangered.
October 1, 2012
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