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Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
FPÖ´s Strache Calls for Leaving Eurozone
Heinz-Christian Strache, chairman of the Austrian oppositional freedom party (FPÖ), suggests an Austrian exit.
August 29, 2012
Keuschnigg Pleads for Increasing Retirement Age
At the Alpbach Forum 2012, the Austrian economist Christian Keuschnigg explained the necessity of implementing reforms for the Austrian retirement plan.
August 29, 2012
Fekter Wants Tax Reform
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper „Presse“, Finance Minister Maria Fekter said to plan a tax reform. The entry tax rate should be lowered.
August 29, 2012
Ametsreiter Calls for Activity
On the occasion of the Alpbach Forum 2012, Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter underlined the necessity of implementing reforms in Austria.
August 29, 2012
Kapsch: “We Cannot Risk the Welfare State”
At the Alpbach Meeting, the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) Georg Kapsch underlines the necessity of competition. The
August 28, 2012
Croatia Said to Become Part of South Stream Pipeline
Good news for Croatia: Gazprom and Plinacro are said to have agreed on a natural gas pipeline across Croatia. The pipeline may enhance employment and reduce natural gas costs.
August 27, 2012
Serbians Push Government for Reforms
The support for an EU membership has fallen below 50%. However, more Serbians call for economic and social reforms.
August 27, 2012
No Leeway for Wage Tax Reduction
Austrian social democrats call for a relief of medium-income earners. Finance Minister Maria Fekter opposes to this idea.
August 27, 2012
Austrian Guarantees Total € 80bn
In the worst case, Austria´s public debt quota may increase up to 100%, the Austrian opposition warns.
August 27, 2012
Orban Underlines Success of Hungarian Crisis Management
Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to lower the public debt quota further. Hungary´s recession would be due to the weak Eurozone, he says. Orban forgot to mention some details, however.
August 24, 2012
Fekter Does Not Exclude Further Bank Aids Anymore
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter admits that the three nationalized banks Hypo Group and Kommunalkredit/KA Finanz may need further capital injections. In the past, Fekter denied the need of further bank aids.
August 23, 2012
Fekter: Enhanced “debt burden check” to Prevent Cost Explosion
Fekter in favour of a law against financially onerous “election-year pork”.
August 23, 2012
Kapsch Sees Austria´s Main Problem in Education Sector
In the last years, Austria fell behind in all competitive rankings. For the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Georg Kapsch, education is the key factor.
August 22, 2012
Exclusion from the Eurozone: Westerwelle Supports Spindelegger
The German Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle thinks that a breach of contract should lead to the exclusion from the Eurozone.
August 22, 2012
EBRD Grants Major Loan to Macedonia
Macedonia was granted € 46.4m by EBRD for construction of the railroad to Bulgaria.
August 22, 2012
Grexit: Aiginger Warns of Shock in the Balkan Region
Wifo´s (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) director Karl Aiginger thinks that a Greek exit would not only cause big problems for Greece itself, but for the whole Balkan region.
August 21, 2012
New Property Tax in Croatia
Slavko Linic, Finance Minister of Croatia, confirmed that Croatia will introduce a property tax in 2013. There would be no need for an IMF loan, Linic argues.
August 21, 2012
First Discussion about Headquarters in Vienna
On October 4th and 5th 2012, the 1st European Headquarters Congress will take place in Vienna.
August 21, 2012
European Congress of Small and Medium – Sized Enterprises in Katowice
From 24th to 27th September 2012, the II European Congress of Small and Medium – Size Enterprises will take place in Katowice, Poland. 50 discussion panels are planned including over 250 speakers with 3500 participants.
August 21, 2012
Hungary´s Public Debt Decreasing
Due to the weak euro, Hungary´s public debt quota decreased by 1.3% percentage points within only one quarter.
August 20, 2012
Central and East Europe Summit in Vienna
Vienna Stock Exchange Group invites CEE companies and politicians in October 2012.
August 20, 2012
Rasinger Wants to Become ÖIAG´s Chairman
In July, the Austrian investor representative Wilhelm Rasinger confirmed his willingness to become ÖIAG´s new director.
August 18, 2012
Does the Euro Collapse Now? (Part 2)
The nervousness among Europe´s leaders is growing. Not only Finland warns of a breakdown.
August 18, 2012
Poland Does Not Expect Recession in 2013
The Polish Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski explained that the Polish economy will grow by 2.5% this year.
August 18, 2012
Does the Euro Collapse Now? (Part 1)
The nervousness among Europe´s leaders is growing. Not only Finland warns of a breakdown.
August 17, 2012
IV Emphasizes: „New Taxes Harm Growth and Jobs“
Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), calls for growth stimulating measures. The industrial sector is the growth engine for Austria, he argues.
August 17, 2012
Poland´s Deficit Target in Danger
The Polish government may fail the 3.0% deficit target in 2012. Above all, the economic slowdown is a risk factor.
August 17, 2012
Paierl Said to Become Next Chairman at ÖIAG
After months of discrete discussions, the new chairman of the Austrian Industrial Holding (ÖIAG) seems to be certain.
August 16, 2012
Switzerland: „Austrian Tax Deal Will Withstand“
The Swiss Parliament´s President Hans Altherr thinks that the Swiss tax deal with Austria will withstand a popular vote.
August 16, 2012
Hungary Faces Recession Again
In the second quarter of 2012, Hungary´s GDP was dwon by 0.2%. The decrease in exports is the main reason.
August 16, 2012
Slovakia Fights Against Budget Deficit
In order to comply with the EU Stability Pact, Slovakia needs to cut public expenses by € 630m.
August 16, 2012
Property Taxes: Controversy Between Austrian Government Parties
The Austrian social democrats still push for introducing property taxes. The coalition partner ÖVP rejects the idea.
August 14, 2012
Slovenia to Establish a Bad Bank
The Slovenian government wants to support the financially stricken banking sector. Risky assets should be outsourced to separate banks.
August 14, 2012
Stronach Enters Political Stage
The Austro-Canadian industrialist Frank Stronach founds his own party and intends to run for the next election in 2013. Stronach wants Austria to leave the Eurozone.
August 13, 2012
Succession: Difficult Search at ÖIAG
The search for a new director for the Austrian Industrial Holding proves difficult. In spite of the attractive job, many potential candidates rejected.
August 13, 2012
Tax Deal with Switzerland in Doubt
After a CD containing data of foreign tax evaders was bought by German authorities, Switzerland may hold a popular vote on the tax deal with Austria.
August 13, 2012
FMA Pushes for Bank Insolvency Law
The Austrian Financial Market Authority increases pressure on the government. Director Helmut Ettl says the Austria needs an insolvency law for banks as soon as possible.
August 7, 2012
Austrian Railways „Fit for the Capital Market in a Few Years“
Horst Pöchhacker, chairman of the supervisory board of Austrian Railways (ÖBB) thinks that the transport group will face more competition. A privatization would take time.
August 6, 2012
ÖIAG: New Potential Candidate
Rumors on the succession of Markus Beyrer do not break up. The manager Werner Lanthaler seems to have good prospects.
August 6, 2012
Serbia: Struggle for Central Bank Sharpens
After the resignation of governor Dejan Soskic, the EU warns Serbia of abolishing the independence of the Serbian Central Bank.
August 6, 2012
IHS Pleads for Inheritance Tax
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies, thinks that an inheritance tax would be a contribution for more equality.
August 4, 2012
Dispute Over Bank Taxes
In Austria, only 82 of 787 banks have to pay bank taxes. Above all, the Raiffeisen sector and the Volksbanken sector are excluded.
August 2, 2012
Budget Crisis: Serbia to Reduce Foreign Exchange Reserves
In order to mend Serbia´s budget hole, the government plans to amend the Central Bank law.
August 2, 2012
ÖIAG: Search Goes On
The number of candidates for the succession of Markus Beyrer as CEO of the Austrian industrial holding keeps within limits.
August 2, 2012
Czech Republic: Erste Group´s CEO Advises Against Introducing the Euro
According to Andreas Treichl, the Czech Republic should not enter the Eurozone now.
August 2, 2012
Hungary: Slow Progress in Talks with IMF
The negotiations with IMF about a € 15bn loan will be resumed in September. According to economists, a final agreement is highly uncertain.
August 1, 2012
CESEE: Still High Degree of Corruption
According to Transparency International, „political influence over independent institutions is a systemic corruption risk in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia“.
July 31, 2012
Spindelegger: “EU human rights policy has been given a voice and face”
Austria’s Foreign Minister congratulates Stavros Lambrinidis on his appointment of EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
July 30, 2012
Kommunalkredit Sale: „There are potential buyers“
Yesterday, the nationalized Kommunalkredit was put up for sale. According to Fimbag´s board chairman Klaus Liebscher, there are some interested parties.
July 27, 2012
ÖIAG: Malanik to Succeed Beyrer?
In June, Markus Beyrer decided to leave the Austrian Industrial Holding (ÖIAG). The former management board member Malanik could succeed.
July 27, 2012
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