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


S IMMO AG: Letting success in Sofia

The first quarter of 2014 brought encouraging successes in letting for S IMMO AG in Sofia, one of the company’s most challenging markets.
April 9, 2014


IMF Upgrades Growth for Slovenia

In its latest report the International Monetary Fund has raised its projection for GDP growth in Slovenia.
April 9, 2014


Austria: Government Wants “Restrictive Budget Performance”

Today the Austrian government has decided upon a “restrictive budget performance.
April 8, 2014


Fitch: Polish Rating Foundations Very Solid

As reported by news portal “Warsaw Voice”, rating agency Fitch considers the Polish credit rating foundations to be very solid.
April 8, 2014


Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”

In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.
April 8, 2014


Poland: Banks to Enhance Bond Issues

The Polish banks are expected to increase the value of bond issues in the next years.
April 8, 2014


Hypo Group too Expensive for BayernLB

According to an official expert, regional German lender BayernLB’s fatal decision to take over Hypo Group Alpe Adria was based on questionable company evaluations.
April 7, 2014


Hungarian Electorial Law Supports Major Parties

Orban is the clear winner of the parliamentary elections in Hungary. He stressed that there are no more conflicts with the EU than any other member state had.
April 7, 2014


Austria: Majority Does Not Trust Euro

Only 49 percent of Austrian citizens have faith in the Euro.
April 7, 2014


Serbia: Effective Measures for Economy

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce considers the measures for economic growth “a very big thing”.
April 7, 2014


Hypo Group: Heavy Burden for Austrian Fiscal Position

The Austrian National Bank, however, expects the structural medium-term budgetary objectives to be achievable.
April 7, 2014


RBI to Shut Down Affiliates on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raffeisen Bank International (RBI) is closing all its affiliate on Crimea until mid-April.
April 7, 2014


Poland: No Danger of Deflation

According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), there is not threat of deflation.
April 7, 2014


Hungary: Clear Victory for Orban

Today, Hungary has held parliamentary elections. Despite controversial and radical reforms, Prime Minister Orban was confirmed.
April 6, 2014


Hypo Group: „We Are not the Only One Who Must Pay“

Austrian Minister of Finance Michael Spindelegger underlines that the Austrian taxpayers are not the only ones who must bear the losses of the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
April 5, 2014


Treichl: „The U.S. Have Solved the Crisis Better“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of the Vienna-listed lender Erste Group, thinks that everything takes too long in Europe. The communication between banks and the government is insufficient, Treichl says.
April 5, 2014


Hungary: Orban Faces Re-Election

Tomorrow, Sunday, Hungary holds national elections. Despite the difficult economic frame conditions in Hungary, the centre-right government is expected to be confirmed for the next four years.
April 5, 2014


Serbia: Vucic New Prime Minister

The chief of the Serbian Progressiv Party (SNS) Aleksandar Vucic will be nominated by the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic as the new Prime Minister.
April 4, 2014


Austria: Carinthia Reluctant to Pay for Hypo Group

The Austrian province of Carinthia rejects contributing to the downsizing costs of nationalized Hypo Group. Finance Minister Spindelegger insists on € 500m and threatens with sanctions.
April 4, 2014


More than Half of Serbians Aspire EU Membership

55 percent of the Serbian citizens are in favor of the country becoming an EU member.
April 4, 2014


Bosnian Billionaire to Acquire Hypo Group?

The Finance Ministry confirmed the announcement and is now examining the offer.
April 4, 2014


RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions

Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.
April 4, 2014


Austria: Capital Increase for Hypo Group Decided

The Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will receive € 750m in fresh capital.
April 4, 2014


VBAG: No State Aids in 2014

The restructuring of VBAG Group is supposed to be completed until 2017, as announced by the banking group. From currently 48 regional bank shops in Austria nine regional banks are supposed to remain.
April 3, 2014


Hungary: Fidesz Considered Winners of Elections

The governing party Fidesz under Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to become the clear winner of the parliamentary elections on Sunday.
April 3, 2014


Poland: NBP to Stabilize FX Reserves

The Supreme Audit Chamber NIK in Poland called upon the National Bank in Poland (NBP) not to increase in foreign-exchange (FX) reserves but stabilize its level.
April 3, 2014


Serbian Future Government Needs to Be “Compact”

According to the deputy leader of SNS, Aleksandar Vucic “shall introduce iron discipline in the Government.”
April 3, 2014


VIG: Takeover of Donaris Successful

Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris completed
April 3, 2014


Hungary: OTP Approaches Acquisition of MKB

MKB, the Hungarian loss-making affiliate of German regional lender BayernLB, is approaching its acquisition by the biggest lender OTP.
April 3, 2014


Poland: Banking Industry Expects Improvement in Results

The Polish banking sector expects net profits to increase in 2014.
April 3, 2014


Austria: Dispute about Bank Tax Culminates

The establishing of a new fund for the banking union will become a financial burden for banking institutes.
April 3, 2014


Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.
April 3, 2014


Prague Wants to Improve Relations With Vienna

The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomír Zaorálek is visiting Austria tomorrow.
April 2, 2014


Hungary Receives € 10bn Loan from Russia

Hungary´s government has signed a loan agreement with Russia. Budapest wants to finance the enlargement of the Paks nuclear power plant.
April 2, 2014


CEE: Economy Could Become More Vulnerable to Crimea Crisis

If the political crisis in Crimea aggravates negative effects in the economy could soon become evident.
April 2, 2014


Slovenia: Budget Deficit to Jump to 14.7%

Due to the bank bailout, Slovenia´s budget deficit is expected to reach 14.7% of GDP in 2013.
April 2, 2014


Austria: “Financial Crisis is Not Yet Over”

Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger considers the financial crisis not to be completely over.
April 2, 2014


Czech Republic: Euro Support Still Weak

Almost a quarter of Czech citizens support the idea of joining the single European currency union.
April 2, 2014


Austria: Faymann Insists on Bank Levy

Chancellor Faymann intends to keep the bank levy in spite of the planned insolvency fund, which is going to be established EU-wide.
April 1, 2014


Austria: Fitch Warns Banks of Risk with Business in Russia

The menacing sanctions against Russia with regard to the political crisis in Crimea could become a severe danger for Austrian banks.
April 1, 2014


Austria: Chancellor Calls for Reform of Investigation Committee

Chancellor Werner Faymann has today expressed his wish for a fast reform of parliamentary investigation committees.
April 1, 2014


Austria: Spindelegger Expects Significant Increase of Deficit

According to the Finance Minister, the consequences of the Hypo-disaster are “dramatic”. However, he does not see a danger of deflation.
April 1, 2014


Hypo Group: Settlement Rejected by BayernLB

The majority stockholder of BayernLB, the former parent company of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, is not willing to negotiate about a settlement with the Austrian problem bank.
April 1, 2014


Hungarian Recovery Remains Shaky

Last year, Hungary´s government successfully managed the economic turnaround. Nevertheless, Hungary´s growth remains artificial.
March 31, 2014


Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps

International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014
March 31, 2014


Romania: Key Interest Rate Remains Unchanged

The central bank of Romania has left the main interest rate unchanged.
March 31, 2014


Slovenia: Danger of Tax Increase

Because of the failed introduction of the property tax Finance Minister Uros Cufer suggested an inrease in VAT to compensate for the losses in revenue.
March 31, 2014


Austria: State Revenues Increased

In 2013 the Austrian budget deficit came at 1.5 percent of GDP wile public debts increased to 74.5 percent of GDP.
March 31, 2014