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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
Keuschnigg Worries About Austria´s Competitiveness
The new director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) Christian Keuschnigg suggests reforming the Austrian labor market. The welfare state would be too sophisticated.
May 15, 2012
A “Speech to Austria”? No.
The disenchantment with politics in Austria is as big as never before. An ambitious, but meaningless speech of Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger will not change the misery.
May 15, 2012
Eder: „Not Making Mistakes of UK and USA“
The CEO of Austria´s largest steel producer voestalpine warns of a de-industrialization in Europe. Today, the UK and the USA would regret their decisions of the past.
May 14, 2012
Greek Exit: Costs of € 7.7bn for Austria
Austria could have to bear costs of up to € 7.7bn if Greece leaves the Eurozone. Austrian guarantees amount to € 3.1bn.
May 14, 2012
Rise in Population Caused by Immigration
Demographic trends 2011: positive natural population increase, life expectancy rises by around 0.3 years. 35,600 people immigrated to Austria last year.
May 14, 2012
Keuschnigg: „Problem Countries Must Cut Wages“
The designated director of the Austrian IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) thinks that a drastic wage cut in Greece, Portugal and Spain is inevitable.
May 12, 2012
„Combining Austerity and Growth Measures“
The Austrian Minister of Economics and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claim a European growth strategy without turning down austerity policies.
May 11, 2012
Austrian Stability Pact Signed
The Austrian Federation, the provinces and the municipalities agreed on the stability pact. Until 2016, a zero deficit should be reached.
May 10, 2012
Hungarian Bank Tax May be Abolished
The extraordinary bank tax in Hungary will be halved in 2013 and deleted in 2014, the government said. Austrian banks are relieved.
May 10, 2012
Stable Development of Austrian Economy
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) forecasts a decent, but stable economic growth in 2012.
May 10, 2012
Constant Rise in Austrian Research Spending
Austrian spending on research and development is set to increase by 4.2% in 2012 to reach € 8.6bn.
May 10, 2012
Raiffeisen Against Bank Insolvency Act
The Austrian government announced to introduce a bank insolvency act in summer. Raiffeisen wants a European solution.
May 9, 2012
IHS: Austerity Package Smaller than Expected
The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) considers the austerity package to be effective. Proceeds will be smaller than expected, though.
May 9, 2012
Austria Emphasizes Importance of Partnership with Russia
Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.
May 8, 2012
Greece: „The Markets were too Euphoric“
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper “Standard”, the Austrian analyst Friedrich Mostböck thinks that the European debt crisis will remain a major challenge.
May 7, 2012
Leitl: „EU Needs Budget Consolidation and Growth Measures“
The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claims to create a European fund in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
May 5, 2012
Spindelegger Calls for “More Europe” for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina must still do some homework in order to be able to apply for EU membership still this year, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs says.
May 4, 2012
Common Energy Strategy for Germany, Austria and Switzerland
After the German nuclear exit, Switzerland and Austria should act as “green battery”.
May 2, 2012
ESM: The Final Ruin of Europe
Solidarity with financially stricken EU countries cannot justify the irrevocable loss of national sovereignty. The transfer union will only work until the financial collapse of Germany and Austria.
May 2, 2012
Austria Strengthens Political and Economic Cooperation with South Asia
The Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner attends 19th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brunei.
April 30, 2012
OMV: „Nabucco is More Alive than Ever”
Despite the exit of Hungarian MOL, the Austrian oil company underlines the importance of Nabucco. CEO Roiss holds on Nabucco.
April 28, 2012
Spindelegger Appeals Israel and Palestine to End the Conflict
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Idle run in Middle East increases extremist danger for the region”
April 26, 2012
Small Growth in Austrian Winter Season
The current tourism winter season 2011/12 recorded a rise in overnights by 2.1%.
April 26, 2012
“Russia now among top 10 Austrian Trading Partners”
Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger meets with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov.
April 25, 2012
Austria Wants to Raise Efficiency in EU Funds
The Austrian State Secretary Waldner participates in the negotiations of the EU financial framework 2014-2020 and calls for setting a regional and environmental course.
April 25, 2012
Austria to Intensify Cooperation with Croatia
The Austrian Minister of Economics met his Croatian counterpart in Vienna. Above all, the EU-accession and investments were discussed.
April 24, 2012
MOL May Leave Nabucco Project
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that MOL the country’s largest company by market capitalization, is leaving the € 7.9bn ($ 10.4bn) Nabucco natural gas pipeline project.
April 24, 2012
IMF: Austria´s Contribution to Reach € 6.0bn
The capital increase at the International Monetary Fund costs Austria € 6.0bn. Austria may receive an executive director. Schieder considers introducing Eurobonds.
April 23, 2012
Fekter meets British Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne
The Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter and George Osborne talked about Basel III, the EU budget and taxation.
April 23, 2012
Maastricht Criteria: Austria in the Middle Field
In 2011, the government deficit of both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27 decreased in absolute terms compared with 2010, while the government debt rose in both zones.
April 23, 2012
Waldner: “Germany and Austria are Role Models in the Eurozone“
The Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner had a work meeting today with his colleague in the German Federal Foreign Office, Minister of State Michael Link.
April 23, 2012
Nowotny: “ECB Uses Bond-Buying Program Extremely Cautiously”
The governor of Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny said the bank only buys government bonds in certain situations and with “extreme” caution.
April 21, 2012
Triple-A Will Not Return Soon
The U.S. rating agency S&P dashes hopes that Austria may get back its “AAA” soon. Austrian banks may still face risks as the crisis is over yet, S&P says.
April 20, 2012
Austrian Railways: € 33bn Investment Package Resolved
The Austrian National Council decided the infrastructure package for ÖBB (Austrian Railways). Until 2017, investments of € 33bn will be made.
April 19, 2012
Felderer: „Women Must Have More Children”
The director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) sees a demographic problem in Austria as well as in Europe. Migration cannot solve the problem, Felderer says.
April 19, 2012
Waldner Wants Closer Cooperation with Spain
Austrian State Secretary Waldner is meeting his counterpart in the Spanish Foreign Ministry, State Secretary Gonzalo de Benito Secades, and EU State Secretary Inigo Mendez de Vigo today.
April 19, 2012
Austrian Opposition Increase Criticism on Swiss Tax Deal
For FPÖ, the tax deal with Switzerland is a “gift for tax evaders”. The Green Party sees support for tax fraud.
April 18, 2012
€ 8.0bn for Upgrade of Austrian Power Grid
According to the Austrian E-Control authority, the Austrian economy needs massive investments in the power grid. The upgrade to “smart grids” would be essential.
April 18, 2012
Former Bawag CEO Criticizes Cerberus Sharply
Helmut Elsner, former CEO of Bawag, accuses the new owner Cerberus to abuse the bank as “garbage dump” for toxic assets.
April 18, 2012
Roiss Claims European „Fracking“ Strategy
OMV´s CEO Gerhard Roiss calls for a common strategy to exploit shale gas. The European industrial sector should become more competitive.
April 18, 2012
Felderer: „Another Downgrade Less Probable“
The Austrian economist Bernhard Felderer thinks that the risk of another downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds has decreased.
April 18, 2012
Mitterlehner: „AAA is still Far Away“
Austria´s Minister of Economics does not believe that S&P gives back the “AAA” rating soon. However, the debate about Austria´s rating is overvalued, he thinks.
April 17, 2012
Labor Time: Resistance Against SPÖ´s Plans
The governing Social-Democrats want to reduce labor time. Industrialists, the Chamber of Commerce and FPÖ decline that idea.
April 17, 2012
Austrian Industry Underlines Austerity Policy
After the rating agency Fitch retained Austria´s triple A, the Austrian industry sees a confirmation of the need for austerity. Finance Minister Fekter emphasized to push for further reforms.
April 17, 2012
Austria Supports EU Capitalization Plans for Banks
Regulators in the European Union may be allowed to impose capital surcharges on banks
April 17, 2012
OeNB: “Nationalizations Are Clean Up”
Austria’s central bank (OeNB) said that the nationalization of three of the nation’s lenders helped clean up the structure of the domestic banking industry.
April 17, 2012
Tax Deal Fiercely Criticized
Last week, Austria concluded a tax treaty with Switzerland. For experts, the deal does not solve the main problems.
April 16, 2012
Austrian Opposition Aims to Bring Back Gold Reserves
The two Austrian opposition parties FPÖ and BZÖ push the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) to disclose information about the gold reserves. OeNB refuses to do so.
April 14, 2012
Austria and Switzerland Signed Tax Treaty
Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter signed the tax treaty with her Swiss colleague Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. In 2013, additional tax intake of € 1.0bn is expected.
April 14, 2012
Fekter Nominates Koren as VBAG´s Chief Executive
Maria Fekter, the Austrian Minister of Finance said that Stephan Koren already agreed to become CEO of the partly nationalized bank VBAG.
April 14, 2012
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