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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
IHS: Austria Grows Faster Than Eurozone
The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies expects an average economic growth of 1.7% until 2017.
July 26, 2012
Vienna Stock Exchange: „Too Early for Investments“
VSE´s CEO Birgit Kuras explains why listings at Vienna Stock Exchange are declining. In the medium term, the conditions for the equity market would be favorable, however.
July 26, 2012
Nowotny Wants Bank License for ESM
The governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) Ewald Nowotny told the news agency Bloomberg that there would be some good reasons for this solution.
July 26, 2012
Constitutional Court: ESM Examination Takes up to 6 Months
According to the biggest Austrian opposition party FPÖ, the European Stability Mechanism violates the Austrian constitution.
July 25, 2012
EU: "Growth without New Debt"
Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Brussels: “Further intensive work on Europe in the next six months under Cypriot EU Presidency”
July 25, 2012
Aiginger: „Feeding Banks Makes No Sense“
The director of WIFO (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) thinks that Spanish banks must be able to become insolvent.
July 24, 2012
Fekter: Greek Exit is „No Issue“
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter thinks that a Greek exit is no option for the time being. „We wait for the report of the Troika.“
July 24, 2012
EU Commission Approves Orange Takeover
The Hong Kong-based telecommunication company Hutchison is allowed to acquire the third-largest player in Austria.
July 23, 2012
IMF: Doubt on Hungary´s Economic Data
For the IMF, the budgetary forecasts are too optimistic. The negotiations on the € 15bn loan continue.
July 23, 2012
Bank Insolvency Law: No Austrian Solo Run
Austria´s government changed its mind. There will be no national bank insolvency law. Austria will wait for a European solution instead.
July 23, 2012
Austrian Bank Aids: Losses Total € 3.4bn
The nationalized banks are a substantial risk factor for Austria´s budget. Losses may increase further.
July 23, 2012
„Competitors are Still Far Away“
Vienna is under pressure. The Austrian capital has to compete with Warsaw, Budapest and Prague as headquarters location for the CESEE region.
July 23, 2012
Growing Pressure on Viennese Location for Headquarters
The Viennese Chamber of Commerce intensifies the dialogue with international headquarters. In autumn, the first headquarter congress will take place in Vienna.
July 21, 2012
Slovakia: Bank Tax Should Reach € 1.0bn
The Slovakian government raised the bank tax up to 0.4% on deposits. Once the tax intake totals € 1.0bn, the tax should be abolished.
July 21, 2012
Slovenia in Financial Distress
In order to prevent becoming a bail-out candidate, the Slovenian government aims to resolve a „debt brake“. It turns out that this goal is highly uncertain.
July 21, 2012
"Wage Cuts in Southern Europe Inevitable"
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies thinks that a fiscal union will not work. The recession in Southern Europe will go on.
July 21, 2012
Hypo Group: „As Little Bank Aids as Possible“
Hypo Group Alpe Adria´s CEO Gottwald is unhappy with reports that the state-owned bank may need further bank aids.
July 20, 2012
Fear of Capital Shortfall at Austrian Banks
The Austrian problem banks Hypo Group and KA Finanz may need further capital injections.
July 19, 2012
Fekter Does not Want to Bundle Austrian Problem Banks
As the public debt level would rise dramatically, Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter rejects the idea of a common bad bank.
July 19, 2012
Nowotny: „Germany Has Key Function“
The governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) is against forced loans in Austria. Regarding Eurobonds, Germany as Europe´s biggest economy would have the key function.
July 18, 2012
Austria Plans „Young Entrepreneur Funds“ Worth € 110m
The Austria Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economics present a „young entrepreneurs scheme“.
July 18, 2012
Vienna Stock Exchange Claims to Abolish Security Gains Tax
In April, transactions were down by 25%, CEO Michael Buhl says. Since December turnover fell dramatically at Vienna Stock Exchange.
July 18, 2012
Nowotny to be Re-Elected
The governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) Ewald Nowotny is said to be re-elected in his current position.
July 18, 2012
„IMF Is Not Our Enemy“
Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban returns to the bargaining table. The country needs up to € 20bn.
July 17, 2012
Fischer Signs ESM and Fiscal Pact
The Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer approves the parliamentary referanda on the highly controversial ESM and Fiscal Pact. Now, only a constitutional complaint may prevent these issues.
July 17, 2012
Switzerland: Popular Vote on Tax Treaty with Austria?
The bilateral tax treaty should bring Austria up to € 1.0bn After the treaty is signed and ratified, a popular vote may prevent the deal now.
July 17, 2012
Bulgaria Aims to Join Eurozone
Bulgaria´s Finance Minister Simeon Djankov underlines the importance of the banking supervision and the Fiscal Pact, but wants to keep the fiscal competence.
July 16, 2012
Fekter Against Forced Loans
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter opposes to DIW´s suggestion to impose forced loans on wealthy persons.
July 16, 2012
“The time has come to design the EU of the 21st century”
„Europe – Quo Vadis?“ The Austrian Foreign State Secretary Waldner opens the Forum Europe in Styria with a keynote speech.
July 16, 2012
Poland Not to Enter the Eurozone Soon
For the time being, Poland will keep the Zloty. After the Eurozone has managed the current crisis, an accession is conceivable, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says.
July 14, 2012
Austrian Municipalities Suspected to Hide Public Debt
About 40% of Austrian municipalities source out public debt. The size of hidden public debt could reach up to € 10bn.
July 14, 2012
Hungary: IMF Talks Begin Next Week
The financially stricken country seeks a second bailout by IMF. Hungary negotiates over a loan sized € 15bn.
July 14, 2012
SPÖ Supports Idea of Forced Loans
Like their German counterparts, the Austrian Social Democrats want to introduce forced loans for rich persons.
July 14, 2012
Austrian Opposition Parties Fight Against Fiscal Pact
The three Austrian opposition parties FPÖ, The Greens and BZÖ announced to bring a complaint of unconstitutionality against the Fiscal Pact.
July 13, 2012
Grexit would Cost Austria € 11.0bn
The Brussels-based think tank CEPS states that Austria would have to bear costs of € 10.9bn in case of a Greek exit out of the Eurozone.
July 13, 2012
VBAG-Restructuring Proves Problematic
In March, the Austrian VBAG Banking Group became partly nationalized. A new CEO has not been found yet.
July 12, 2012
Stability of Austrian Budget Endangered
Public expenses are on the rise. At the same time, the tax intake shrinks. Economist Felderer warns of expensive election gifts.
July 12, 2012
Austrian AAA „Not in Danger“
The Austrian economist and chairman of the public debt council Bernhard Felderer thinks that Austria will keep its Triple-A rating. Felderer´s statement is not undisputed.
July 12, 2012
Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe
From Date: Saturday, September 1, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Alpbach Closing Event “Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe” takes place.
July 12, 2012
Fischer Wants to Check ESM
Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer does not sign the ESM approval by the Austrian Parliament yet. „I am not under time pressure.“ he says.
July 11, 2012
IMF: New Central and Eastern European Constituency
Austria, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey have established a Central and Eastern European Constituency at the International Monetary Fund.
July 11, 2012
“Creating living spaces - how will we live in the future?”
From Friday, August 31, 9:30 am to Saturday, September 1, 12:45 pm, the Alpbach Forum will treat the topic of urban development.
July 11, 2012
Banking Supervision: Nowotny Warns of Botch
The governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) thinks that the timeline fort he planned unified banking supervision authority is „very short“.
July 10, 2012
“The Future of Banks and Financial Markets”
From Thursday, August 30, 2:00 pm to Friday, August 31, 5:45 pm the Alpbach Financial Market Symposium 2012 will take place.
July 10, 2012
Slovakia: Flat Tax to be Abolished
This summer, the Slovakian government will resolve a package of 22 measures in order to fight public debt.
July 10, 2012
Big Exposure in Foreign Currency Loans
In Austria, domestic banks have outstanding foreign currency loans of € 51bn. In CESEE countries, the exposure comes at € 130bn.
July 10, 2012
Austrian Industry Urges Government to Continue Austerity Policies
The Austrian government has to perform its job in order to retain competitiveness and economic growth in future. Finance Minister Fekter is highly satisfied with the government´s economic report.
July 10, 2012
Croatia Abolishes Mobile Service Tax
Today, the Croatian Parliament decided to abolishes the 6% mobile service tax. For Telekom Austria, this means a substantial relief.
July 10, 2012
Economic Report: „Reducing Dependence on Europe“
Today, the Austrian government published its "Economic Report 2012".
July 9, 2012
Nowotny on Greece: „We Do Not Have Unlimited Time“
Ewald Nowotny, the governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) is concerned about the Greek austerity program.
July 9, 2012
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