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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
Austria's Industry Welcomes Electricity Reform
Whereas Industrialists and the Economic Chamber (WKO) are asking for enactment today, the Umweltdachverband (UWD, Environmental Federation) is against it.
December 1, 2010
Unemployment Continued to Decline in November
Both the number of unemployed and trainees show a decline.
December 1, 2010
Extra-budgetary Debts Grow Unabated
Debt levels which are not attributed to the Austrian Federal Budget rise exorbitantly. Above all, the ÖBB and Asfinag are responsible.
November 30, 2010
Erste Group is Holding Repayment of Public Funds
The participation capital granted by the State following the bank crisis will only be paid back by the Erste Group after specifications of Basel III are set.
November 30, 2010
The Budget is Finally Set
After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.
November 30, 2010
Industrialists: Destruction of Business Location Averted
The Industriellenvereinigung (IV, Industrialists Association) is relieved about issues concerning location policy, and at the same time calls for structural reforms.
November 30, 2010
Salary Increase in Trade up to 2.3%
Low incomes are taken more into account than higher salaries; the minimum wage in trade now amounts to € 1,300.
November 30, 2010
Globalization Study: Vienna Among Top 20 Cities
New York remains at the top of the ranking of the "Global City Index 2010" by A.T. Kearney. Vienna stays unchanged at 18th place.
November 30, 2010
EU Growth Forecast: Austria Slightly Over Average
The EU Commission has revised its growth forecast for 2011 slightly upwards. Austria stays at 1.7% in the above average area.
November 30, 2010
Carinthia Strengthens Relations with China
The Carinthian Economic Chamber President, Franz Pacher, has signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Beijing Economic Chamber.
November 29, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny Approves of Ireland Protection Measures
The governor of the Austrian National Bank says the decisions on Ireland and the European stability mechanism are positive.
November 29, 2010
Leitl: Finland and Austria Have Much to Learn From Each Other
Finnish ex-Prime Minister Lipponen exposes economic success secrets of his country.
November 29, 2010
Renewable Energy: Great Potential, but Halted by Politicians
The Umweltdachverband (UWD, Environmental Federation) criticizes sharply the energy policy of the Austrian Government. Investments are made mainly in obsolete technologies
November 29, 2010
WIFO: Budget Consolidation in the EU is Not Sustainable
WIFO criticizes the consolidation programs of the individual EU countries for being easily enforceable, but containing hardly any sustainable measures.
November 29, 2010
Government Adapts Capital Gains Tax on Securities
Taxation will be implemented from October 1; loss compensation is allowed. There are no essential changes however.
November 29, 2010
Is the Austrian Industry still competitive?
The chief economist of the Industriellenvereinigung (IV), Christian Helmenstein, draws a sobering picture on the future of the domestic industry.
November 26, 2010
Vienna International Airport: Decisions on Personnel are Postponed
The previously rumored change of leadership at Vienna International Airport is not taking place yet. There is time until mid-December for the board, highly criticized because of Skylink.
November 26, 2010
WKÖ’s Secretary General Advocates for Educational and Administrative Reform
Young people have to be trained practically to meet the challenges of the future. An administrative reform should not be foregone, said Hochhauser.
November 25, 2010
Leitl Vehemently Asks the Government for Structural Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WK), Christoph Leitl, call on the government for location and future investments.
November 25, 2010
Walter Grahammer Becomes the New Austrian Ambassador in Brussels
Previously, Grahammer acted as Head in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
November 24, 2010
Audit Court: Capital Increase for Vienna Airport
The Audit Court criticizes the Board again and advises a capital increase. The personal consequences may be tougher than expected yet.
November 24, 2010
AMS: Temporary Employment Will Continue to Rise
The Chairman of the Board of the AMS (Public Employment Service), Johannes Kopf, believes that the international trend of increasing temporary employment will also take root in Austria.
November 24, 2010
WKÖ Promotes Trade With Developing Countries
The Economic Chamber Austria presents its strategies to strengthen Austrian companies in order to take advantage of business opportunities in developing and emerging countries more effectively.
November 23, 2010
Austria's Energy Consumption Falls
The energy consumption of Austria decreased in 2009 compared with the previous year by 4%. Mainly industry and transport reduced their consumption.
November 23, 2010
Economic Chamber President Leitl Demands Financial Transaction Tax
There is consensus between the Presidents of the Economic Chamber and the Federation of Trade Unions.
November 23, 2010
Solid Growth inTrade Between Austria and the Czech Republic
Exports between the two countries rise by around 20%. Cooperation is to be extended also to research.
November 22, 2010
IHS: Capital Gains Tax on Securities is Absurd
The introduction of the capital gains tax on securities would encourage speculation rather than contain it, says IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) Director Felderer. Private investors are the victims
November 22, 2010
OECD: Austria's growth until 2012 at 2%
According to the report, the economy is returning back to normal values, but it will have to manage without fiscal stimulus.
November 18, 2010
Study: Agricultural Subsidies Produce No Growth
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research has determined that growth in the Austrian regions is accelerated by EU regional promotional financing, but not by agricultural subsidies.
November 18, 2010
Roche Lays Off 400 Jobs in Styria
The Swiss pharmaceutical group reduces its international workforce by 6%: a setback for the region.
November 18, 2010
Indonesia and Austria Agree to Extend Cooperation
President Fischer officially visited the Islamic Republic Indonesia, which is of the most important future markets of the South Asian region for Austria.
November 17, 2010
Junge Industrie Wien: Explosive Generational Balance Study
Junge Industrie Wien calls for "courageous steps". The credo is future investments instead of transfer payments.
November 17, 2010
Industry Welcomes EU Energy Infrastructure Package
Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industrialists, Markus Beyrer: the package is also important to achieve energy and climate objectives.
November 17, 2010
Hoteliers: Threat of Staff Shortage
On one hand, hotel owners are confronted with more vacancies, on the other the seasonal contingent is reduced, so they are calling for the opening of the labor market.
November 17, 2010
GPA: Private Employees Receive 2.2% Salary Increase.
Bigger salaries in trade, crafts and consulting: the negotiators consider this to be a "reasonable result".
November 17, 2010
Procurement: Economy Welcomes Extension
Economic Chamber President Christoph Leitl welcomes the planned extension of the threshold values regulation by one year as an important growth impulse
November 16, 2010
Austria's Exposure in Ireland: 3.4 Billion Euro
Since September 2009, Austrian banks have halved their exposure in Ireland. The most affected countries are the United Kingdom and Germany.
November 15, 2010
High Demand for Minimum Benefit
In the first month after the introduction of the minimum benefit already 14,500 applications have been submitted. A significantly lower demand had been expected.
November 15, 2010
The ÖBB is a Risk Factor for the State Budget
While the investment projects for the ÖBB are being reduced by Transport Minister Doris Bures, a fiasco is threatening on the revenue side.
November 15, 2010
Infrastructure Development: Investing in the Future or Incurring Debt?
While industry competes for sites for the development of infrastructure, legitimate questions are being raised on financial issues.
November 15, 2010
Traffic Expenditures: € 4.3bn less
As a consequence of the new budget, public infrastructure projects are being reduced considerably. Postponed projects and low-cost alternatives will save money.
November 12, 2010
Wind Energy: Vendors Pressed for Time
Promotion for Austrian wind energy expires in 2012. The industry has only recently been able to set up new facilities.
November 12, 2010
It is Official: Coalition Between SPÖ and Greens in Vienna
Vassilakou becomes Deputy Mayor under Häupl. The program aims to have a recognizable green handwriting.
November 12, 2010
Linz AG: Pause After Investment Offensive
The municipal company recorded extraordinary high capital expenses in 2009. The next projects are still in the planning phase.
November 11, 2010
Telekom Srbija: Sale is Resisted
The partially for sale Telekom Srbija which Telekom Austria is said to be interested in, raises passions in Serbia. Opposition to the sale is taking shape.
November 11, 2010
Standard & Poor’s: Austria's Credit Rating at Risk
The reasons for such gloomy prospects are not problems with the banks or domestic companies, but rather the demographic situation threaten Austria's credit rating.
November 11, 2010
Strabag: Major Contract in Romania for 220 Million Euro
A consortium led by Austria's Strabag has won a contract to build a Romanian motorway for 220.6 million euro.
November 11, 2010
Leitl: Austrians Go into Retirement Too Early
Those who go into early retirement in Austria are rewarded. The government should create more incentives to retire later on in life.
November 10, 2010
Sharp decline in Creation of New Foundations
In particular, legal uncertainty and abolished tax advantages cause the creation of fewer foundations in Austria.
November 10, 2010
Austerity Package: Resistance from the Federal Provinces
While cries for savings are getting louder in the provinces, declarations of both consensus and objections come from the provincial capital cities
November 8, 2010
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