Sponsored Content
Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Slow upward trend in Austria's trade and handicrafts
For 2010, KMU-Forschung Austria expects slight sales increases. Support for research projects will be supported in future.
January 13, 2011
Harsh Criticism of Government by Junge Industrie
Junge Industrie (Young Industry) an interface organization of the Industriellenvereinigung (Industrialists’ Federation) criticizes particularly the pension policy.
January 13, 2011
WKÖ endorses policy of the European Commission
The Austrian Economic Chamber welcomes the focus of the EU Commission on structural reforms, consolidation of public finances and competitiveness.
January 13, 2011
Strong Merger Growth in Austria
The number of mergers has increased in 2010 by 12%. The Federal Competition Commission reported 238 cases.
January 12, 2011
Insolvencies decline in Austria
Corporate insolvency proceedings fall by 5.9%, affecting more than 85,000 creditors. Creditreform considers there is still potential for lower figures.
January 11, 2011
New Controversy over the Hypo Group
According to the investigators, there would be no connection between the Austrian bank and Gribkowsky, the former member of the board of BayernLB
January 10, 2011
Austrian Tourism Operators Continue to Invest Heavily
Investment in the tourism business is estimated at € 5.0bn for 2011. The previous year’s level will therefore be maintained.
January 10, 2011
Austrian Tobacco Industry Fears Cigarette Smuggling
According to the presently Japanese Austria Tabak, 20% of cigarettes are already smuggled. The tobacco tax is expected to increase this trend even more.
January 10, 2011
Recovery in Austria´s Labor Market Continues
The domestic labor market´s data for 2010 were better than expected. The number of job-seekers declined by 3.7%
January 8, 2011
Austrian SME as a Source of Innovation
Austria's small and medium enterprises are, according to the Small and Medium-Sized Business report, the main driver for innovations.
January 7, 2011
Demands for Financial Transactions Tax
The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.
January 7, 2011
FMA Prohibits Speculative Elements in Savings Accounts
The Austrian Financial Market Authority FMA specifies the characteristics of savings certificates. The traditional savings account is to remain non-speculative
January 5, 2011
Downward Trend of Austrian Unemployment
Unemployment trend: Flash estimates for the fourth quarter of 2010 show an unemployment rate of 4.1%.
January 5, 2011
Demographic Development: a Future Challenge for Austria
The expected demographic development will increase expenditure in geriatric care in Austria.
January 5, 2011
Black Economy is still Difficult to Control in Austria
About 14% of the economic product evades the Treasury in the Austrian economy, but experts say the trend is declining again.
January 5, 2011
Hypo Group: Little Enlightment Expected from Grasser and Berlin
The Chairman of the Inquiry Committee on the Hypo Group expects little gain of information by the summons of Karl-Heinz Grasser and Tilo Berlin.
January 4, 2011
R&D: High Activities of Austrian Firms with Foreign Co-Investors
The OECD publishes its Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010 for Austria. 23% of R&D expenses are funded from abroad.
January 4, 2011
Social Justice shows High Levels in Austria
The Bertelsmann Foundation released a study on social justice issues in OECD countries. Austria is located among the top third.
January 4, 2011
Special Tax: Hungary Under Fire
Especially the Austrian economy criticizes the Hungarian special tax on large companies. The EU Commission has already started an investigation.
January 4, 2011
Leitl Urges Implementation of Reform Plans
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber shows himself pleased by the economic data 2010 and urges the continuation of educational and administrative reforms.
January 3, 2011
New Responsibilities for the Financial Market Authority
As of 2011, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has to face new challenges. The focus is on the fight against money laundering.
January 3, 2011
Increase of Debts Slows Down at Asfinag
According to the Austrian motorway company Asfinag, austerity is slowly starting to show results.
January 3, 2011
Experts: No Failures in the Austrian Labor Market
The last hurdles for the new EU-members to enter the Austrian labor market will fall in May 2011. However, even the unions has no concerns.
January 3, 2011
13 CEOs Call For Sanctions Against Hungary
Because of the new taxes introduced by the Hungarian government, a group of prominent European CEOs call for EU-sanctions.
January 2, 2011
Austrian Unemployment Further Declines
Unemployment numbers go down specifically in the production sector. Long-term unemployment also declines over average.
January 2, 2011
Austria's Minister of Social Affairs Wants to Extend the Years of Employment
Rudolf Hundstorfer wants to see older workers work longer, and is trying to get the consensus of businesses.
December 31, 2010
VBI Romania is a Source of Worries for ÖVAG
Volksbank International (VBI) is to be sold by the Austrian Volksbanken Group. The Romanian subsidiary keeps the group from doing so.
December 31, 2010
State Secretary for Finance: Euro-bonds as a Medium-term Strategy
The Austrian State Secretary for Finance, Andreas Schieder, does not discard Euro-bonds, against the majority view of German and Austrian politicians.
December 31, 2010
Massive Rise of Debt in the Public Sector
Austria's debt is rising dramatically. Not only the state budget, but also the provinces and municipalities are the major contributors to this situation.
December 31, 2010
Changes in Living Standard of Austrians
A WIFO study compares the required average working time of industrial workers to the purchase of goods and services over the passage of time.
December 31, 2010
Immofinanz Sues Lobbyist
The Austrian real estate group Immofinanz sues its former adviser, Walter Meischberger, because of the "Buwog Affair".
December 30, 2010
Nowotny Calls for Consistent Budget Consolidation
The Governor of the OeNB draws balance at the end of the year and gives his outlook on the challenges for 2011
December 30, 2010
Austria's Labor Market Opens
As of May 1, 2011 the German and Austrian labor markets open for the new EU citizens. Romania and Bulgaria will follow suit in 2013.
December 30, 2010
WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"
In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.
December 30, 2010
WIFO: Lack of Competition in Austria
According to WIFO, lack of competition is causing a growth bottleneck in Austria and requires legal action by the government and the EU.
December 29, 2010
State Visit from Qatar in Austria
As part of a three-day state visit by the Head of State of Qatar, talks on economic topics are mainly planned.
December 29, 2010
Leitl Demands Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber calls for more Government work in administration, health and education.
December 29, 2010
Bank Austria CEO Cernko: Austrian Banks Fight Securities Tax
The CEO of Bank Austria, Willibald Cernko, was interviewed by the newspaper “Kurier”. He announced that Austrian Banks will call the Constitutional Court.
December 29, 2010
Illegal Employment Grows
One of four Austrian firms employs illegal workers from abroad.
December 29, 2010
Spindelegger: Turkey's Joining the EU Will Not Happen Before 2024
In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", the Austrian Foreign Minister stresses the relevance of Turkey. Croatia should come into the EU much earlier EU.
December 29, 2010
Chamber of Labor Calls for a More Equitable Distribution
Corporate profits on one hand and reduced working hours, dismissals and wage cuts on the other, are not compatible for the Chamber of Labor.
December 28, 2010
Raiffeisen Foresees a Weak Decade for Europe
RLB Niederösterreich-Wien expects hardly any economic growth, particularly in the euro countries. Austria is however relatively well positioned.
December 28, 2010
Sanader Remains in Extradition Custody
Custody prior to extradition was imposed on the former Croatian Prime Minister Sanader. He complains about the "arbitrariness of the Croatian authorities".
December 28, 2010
Economic Chamber Criticizes Import Control System
According to the WKÖ, Austrian businesses incur additional costs and bureaucracy by the import control system.
December 27, 2010
CO2 Emissions in 2009 Decreased by 4.75m Tons
Energy-related CO2 emissions decreased in 2009 in Austria by 4.75m tons or 7.4% to 59m tons, according to WIFO estimates
December 27, 2010
Higher Bank Tax for Bank Austria
The UniCredit-subsidiary Bank Austria will have to pay a bigger amount of the bank tax in 2011. The contribution in the following year decreases.
December 27, 2010
Income Report: Workers' Wages Fell in Real Terms
In its income report, the Audit Court presents the evolution of the income of the Austrians. Increasing differences can be identified.
December 24, 2010
Investigations Against Sanader Continue
The investigation of Austrian and Croatian authorities against the former Prime Minister of Croatia in the Hypo affair are being intensified. Many questions remain unanswered.
December 23, 2010
Foundations: Greater Legal Certainty for Founders
A new amendment to Austrian private foundations law allows more clarity for private founders.
December 22, 2010
Hypo Group: Sanader Denies Payments of Commissions
The former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, questioned in Salzburg, denies having ever received money from the Hypo Group.
December 22, 2010
Fast News Search
This category only
