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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
Chemical Industry Warns of Investment Stop
Peter Untersperger, CEO of the fiber manufacturer Lenzing and chairman of the Austrian chemcial industry is very critical of the energy efficiency act.
June 22, 2012
Controversy About Nowotny
Ewald Nowotny, the governor Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) argued that the austerity policy in the 1930s caused the rise of the Nazi regime. A wave of indignation emerged.
June 21, 2012
FPÖ Claims Popular Vote on ESM
The biggest Austrian opposition party warns of giving up the sovereignty. Together with the smallest opposition party BZÖ, FPÖ will vote against ESM.
June 21, 2012
Fekter Declines Mercy for Greece
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter is poised for amending several points oft he Greek austerity program. This is no accomodation, Fekter emphasizes. In the future, the EU should be completely centralized, Fekter says.
June 21, 2012
Austria Pushes for Danube Strategy
Together with Germany, Slovakia and Bulgaria, Austria wants to implement a common transport strategy for the Danube.
June 21, 2012
New IV´s President: „Down With Taxes!“
Today, Georg Kapsch became the new President of the Federation of Austrian Industries. In order to create growth, taxes and regulations should be cut.
June 21, 2012
Heavy Dispute Over ÖIAG
The Austrian Minister of Finance plans to incorporate the publicly held stakes in ÖBB, Asfinag and Verbund into ÖIAG. The coalition partner SPÖ and Reinhold Mitterlehner oppose to this attempt.
June 21, 2012
Rio+20: Austria Promotes Sustainable Energy Strategy
State Secretary Waldner: „Austria’s many contributions help securing the long-term energy supply for the poorest countries“.
June 21, 2012
„Austria Is Threatened by a National Bankruptcy“
The Austrian economist Eva Pichler warns of the ESM and appeals on the Austrian Parliament not to ratify the „recue package“.
June 20, 2012
Austria Emphasizes South Tyrol´s Importance
Austria´s Foreign Minister Spindelegger: “South Tyrol is and will stay a constant factor in Austrian foreign policy”.
June 20, 2012
„ÖIAG Should Finance Start-Ups“
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) suggests using ÖIAG´s investment income for the purpose of financing start-up enterprises.
June 19, 2012
Uncertain Future for ÖIAG
After CEO Markus Beyrer announced to resign, a new debate about the future of the publicly held Austrian industrial holding emerged.
June 19, 2012
Austrian Urbanization Goes On
Austria's towns in figures 2011: education and social welfare, a challenge for growing agglomeration areas; services and administration, the largest budget items.
June 19, 2012
Fitch: Austria´s AAA Not Endangered
According to the U.S. rating agency, Austria´s creditworthiness remains at a high level. Nevertheless, reforms would be needed.
June 19, 2012
Nabucco: EU Commission is in Doubt
The Commission of the European Union emphasizes that Nabucco is still an option. Nevertheless, there would be cheaper options.
June 18, 2012
Liebscher Calls for New Model of Bad Banks
The chairman of Austria´s Fimbag, the state holding of nationalized banks, wants to put aside toxic assets of nationalized banks.
June 18, 2012
„Austria Must Not Become Mediocre“
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) call for an acceleration of reforms as the Austrian position in competitive rankings deteriorates.
June 18, 2012
Mitterlehner: „Romania is an Important Trading Partner“
Austria´s Minister of Economic Reinhold Mitterlehner sees many business opportunities for Austrian enterprises in Romania. Above all, the energy sector is highly promising, Mitterlehner says.
June 18, 2012
Fekter Approves Greek Election Results
The Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter is happy with the „Pro-European „ statement oft he Greeks. Minor adjustments to aid packages would be possible.
June 18, 2012
Austria Stresses Support for Rio+20
State Secretary Waldner: “Rio+20 brings a real opportunity for our environment and sustainable development”
June 18, 2012
Austria Among European Renewable Energy Nations
The contribution of renewable energy was up to 12.4% of energy consumption in the EU27 in 2010. The highest share is observed in Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Austria and Portugal.
June 18, 2012
Fekter Defends Euro Aids
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter underlines the „necessity of solidarity“ and stressed ist commitment to the common currency. The Austria opposition party FPÖ made a serious protest.
June 16, 2012
Tax Treaty with Switzerland Finally Confirmed
The second chamber oft he Swiss Parliament approved the tax deal with Austria, Germany and the U.K.
June 16, 2012
Mitterlehner Suggests Dissolving ÖIAG
The Austrian Minister of Economics Reinhold Mitterlehner intends to privatizie the remaining stake in Telekom Austria. This could mean the end of the Austrian industrial holding.
June 16, 2012
Markus Beyrer New Director General of Businesseurope
The Council of Presidents (COPRES) of the leading European business organization unanimously appoints 46 year old Austrian.
June 15, 2012
Leitl Underlines Good Relations with Hungary
At the visit of Hungary´s Viktor Orban, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) stresses the long-term commitment of Austrian enterprises in Hungary and claims legal security in return.
June 14, 2012
8th Conference of European Regions and Cities (CERC) in Austria
The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) is holding the 8th conference of European Regions and Cities in Grafenegg.
June 14, 2012
FPÖ: „Europe Has a Banking Problem“
The Austrian opposition leader Heinz-Christian Strache criticizes that European countries are downgraded due to their banks. Further bank aids would be likely.
June 13, 2012
Orban Defends Hungarian Economic Policy
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Austrian policymakers in Vienna. The Hungarian bank tax should be replaced by a financial transaction tax.
June 13, 2012
Austria Stresses Balance Between Growth and Austerity
At the negotiations on the EU financial plan 2014 – 2020 in Denmark, Austria proposes to establish a growth fund accessible to SMEs.
June 13, 2012
Austerity: „There is No Alternative“
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies appreciates the help for Spanish banks and thinks that a Greek exit is rather unlikely.
June 12, 2012
Monti Angry at Fekter
Italy´s Prime Minister Mario Monti is unhappy with the statement of Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter on Italy. Fekter considered that Italy may need help by the EU.
June 12, 2012
Austria to Strengthen Cooperation with Baltic States
Austrian State Secretary meets the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament and underlines Latvia´s successful austerity course.
June 12, 2012
Spain: „ESM would be a Better Safeguard“
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter wants Spain to call for aid via the ESM.
June 11, 2012
Hypo Group: The Time is Pressing
Until the end of this year, the Austrian nationalized banks needs an equity quota of 12.0%. This will not be achieved without special measures.
June 11, 2012
Austrian Banks Perform Well in Eastern Europe
The Austrian banks did not overreach themselves in Eastern Europe, the economist Bernhard Felderer says. By contrast, UniCredit, RBI and Erste Group are highly profitable.
June 11, 2012
Austria Promotes Political Cooperation in Black Sea Region
Conference in Tbilisi discusses issues of management of institutional administration and rule of law.
June 11, 2012
„We Won´t Get Any Money Back“
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) does not think that Greece is able to pay back its debt. Nevertheless, Felderer still believes in the euro.
June 9, 2012
Nowotny Pushes Spain to Call for Help
The governor of Austria´s Central Bank Ewald Nowotny appeals on the Spanish government to call for help and fears that the situation could become even worse for Spain otherwise.
June 9, 2012
Fischer Has Understanding for Bank Tax in Slovakia
Slovakia wants to introduce bank taxes. Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer, who met his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Gasparovic, does not have objections.
June 9, 2012
EU-Crisis: Austrian Government Underlines Necessity of „Solidarity“
The Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner calls for a centralization of economic and financial policies.
June 8, 2012
IV: „Budget Consolidation Supports Economic Growth“
The Federation of Austrian Industries pushes for structural reforms in order to cut public expenses.
June 8, 2012
„There´s no Crisis in Eastern Europe“
Austrian economists and bankers do not comprehend the downgrade by Moody´s. The risk in Eastern Europe would be more differentiated, OeNB´s governor Nowotny said.
June 8, 2012
Kommunalkredit Sale: Austria Hires Morgan Stanley
The nationalized Austrian lender Kommunalkredit should be sold until 2013. The U.S. investment bank should act as commission agent.
June 6, 2012
Austrian R&D Expenses Rise to € 8.61bn
In 2012, R&D expenses are expected rise by 4.0% in Austria. The bulk of R&D expenses is contributed by enterprises.
June 6, 2012
„Bank Union is Still Far Away“
Ewald Nowotny, Governor of Austria´s Central Bank, thinks that a bank union in the Eurozone would still take some time. Erste Group´s CEO Andreas Treichl approves the idea.
June 6, 2012
Keuschnigg: „Raising ESM for Italy and Spain“
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) argues for raising ESM funds to € 1,000bn.
June 4, 2012
Austria to Expand Relations with Cyprus
Federal President Fischer and WKO´s President Leitl accomodated the Cypriot-Austrian Business Forum. Economic relations show potential for expansion and further development.
June 4, 2012
Spindelegger: “Great respect for future-oriented decision taken by Ireland”
The Austrian Vice Chancellor congratulates his Irish colleague Eamon Gilmore on the outcome of the referendum.
June 4, 2012
Trade Unions Wants „Just Taxation“
The Austrian Trade Unions warn of a strict austerity policy and pushes for growth stimulating measures.
June 2, 2012
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