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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: 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
Slovakia: Kiska Won Against Fico
Prime Minister Robert Fico has received a heavy defeat. For the first time in Slovakia´s history, an independent candidate becomes President.
March 30, 2014
Sikorski: Ukraine Close to Deal with IMF
Poland´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski explained that the talks between the IMF and Ukraine have made substantial progress.
March 29, 2014
Austria: VBAG Downgraded to Junk Status
Moody´s has lowered VBAG´s rating. According to the rating agency, the partly nationalized Austrian bank has no investment grade anymore.
March 29, 2014
KA Finanz: No More State Aids Necessary
The nationalized Austrian bad bank has finished the loss-making sale of credit default swaps. In the last six years, KA Finanz has downsized radically.
March 29, 2014
Slovenia: Controversial Property Tax Fails
The Slovenian Constitutional Court has rejected the controversial property tax suggested by the government. This will jeopardize this year’s budget.
March 28, 2014
Hypo Group: “The People are Really Pissed Off“
According to Werner Kogler, financial spokesman and deputy party leader of the Austrian Greens, the Hypo commission appointed by the government is an “intolerable escape attempt”.
March 28, 2014
Leitl: “Growth Must Not Mean Less Reforms”
Economic growth is now weaker than in the previous phases of upturn.
March 28, 2014
Hypo Petition Puts Pressure on Austrian Government
The support of the online petition for the establishing of an investigation committee has gained more than 105,000 supporters which puts increasing pressure on the government.
March 28, 2014
Austria: S&P Confirms Rating
US rating agency Standard & Poor’s has confirmed the Austrian rating at “AA+” with a stable outlook.
March 28, 2014
RBI to Keep Hungarian and Ukrainian Affiliates?
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) considers keeping its affiliates in Hungary and Ukraine.
March 27, 2014
Serbia: Little Faith in Judiciary
The majority of the Serbian population does not trust state institutions, particularly the judiciary.
March 27, 2014
Poland to Fulfill EU Commission’s Regulations
According to Polish Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek, Poland will have no difficulties fullfilling the standards set by the European Commission with regard to the budget deficit.
March 27, 2014
Austria: Economic Growth Slowly Getting in Gear
Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) projects economic growth in Austria to revive again only at the end of this year.
March 27, 2014
Slovenia: Chaos around Real Estate Tax Continues
On Thursday the Slovenian National Assembley will pass amendments to the highly debated real estate tax.
March 27, 2014
Austria: Hypo Commission Soon Ready to Investigate
The government’s commission for the investigation of Hypo Group’s nationalization is supposed to begin its assignment in one or two weeks.
March 27, 2014
RBI: Profit Shrinks by Almost A Quarter
RBI with consolidated profit of € 557 million Austria’s most profitable bank for the fourth time.
March 27, 2014
Serbia: Program for New Government in Progress
The future government will have to implement extensive reforms. Vucic, whose party saw a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, is working on the government’s program.
March 26, 2014
Raiffeisen Group: Uncertain Future
On Thursday Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) will present the annual figures of 2013.
March 26, 2014
Poland: Good Starting Point for Economic Growth
Economic growth for 2014 is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in the first quarter while for the full year it is anticipated to come at 3.5 percent, according to Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski.
March 26, 2014
BayernLB Threatens Hypo Group with Damage Claims
BayernLB, former parent company of Hypo Group Alpe Adria International, is threatening to claim damages from its former affiliate.
March 26, 2014
Hungary: 20th Consecutive Interest Rate Cut
The Hungarian central bank has cut the key interest rate by 10 basis points to 2.6 percent.
March 26, 2014
Austria: High Support for Hypo Group’s Investigation Petition
According to a decision in the petition committee, the online petition for the investigation of the nationlization of ailing Hypo Group Alpe Adria will be open for signing until the next committee meeting in June.
March 26, 2014
Poland: Economy Proves Immune to Ukrainian Crisis
According to Governor of the Polish National Bank (NBP) Marek Belka, the Polish economy has so far proved stable and almost remained unaffected by the political crisis in Ukraine.
March 26, 2014
Hungary: Orban Striving to Become PM Again
In an attempt to gain another four years as head of the government Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praises the country’s achievements in the past years since his Fidesz party came into power.
March 26, 2014
Poland: Promising Years Ahead
Poland observes the crisis in Ukraine with great concern, but does not forget to upgrade national resources.
March 25, 2014
Real Estate in Vienna: Offer Does Not Catch up Demand
There is a growing trend towards population increase as well as small households in Vienna.
March 25, 2014
World Bank: Serbia Has Nine Month to Implement Reforms
According to Tony Verheijen, the World Bank’s Country Manager of Serbia, Serbia has nine month to implement the reforms necessary.
March 25, 2014
Spindelegger: Investigation Committee “Counterproductive“
According to the Finance Minister, an investigation committee would only worsen the negotiation position with BayernLB.
March 25, 2014
Poland: Pension Reform Not to Affect Rating
According to rating agency Fitch, Poland’s country rating will not be affected by the pension reform.
March 25, 2014
Hypo Group: Spindelegger Still Rejects Investigation Committee
Today the opposition will call for a joint request for a parliamentary investigation committee with regard to ailing bank Hypo Group.
March 25, 2014
Austria: No Changes to Land Transfer Tax
There will be no tax hikes in the near future concerning the inheritance of property within families. The draft law of the Finance Ministry also includes the exemption of business successions.
March 24, 2014
Serbia: President Announced “Pro-Serbian Government”
Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian President, announded the future government to be pro-Serbian.
March 24, 2014
Austria: Hypo Petition to be Continued
The online petition for the establishing of a parliamentary investigation committee will not be stopped by the Austrian government, consisting of SPÖ (Social Democrats) and ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party).
March 24, 2014
Slovenia Looking for New Investors
In an attempt is looking for new investors the small Eurozone member country is starting a series of roadshows in Europe starting from Monday.
March 24, 2014
Serbia Wants to Keep Balance Between Russia and EU
Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic does not want to stab Russia in the back. At the same time, Dacic keeps an eye on Brussels.
March 24, 2014
Czech Growth to Speed Up
Due to the increase in foreign demand, the advisory company EY expects the Czech economy to revive this year.
March 24, 2014
Faymann Does Not Rule Out Economic Sanctions Against Russia
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann wants to avoid further conflicts with Russia and to put effort into diplomacy instead. Economic sanctions are no taboo, though.
March 24, 2014
Zeman Wants Ukraine to Cooperate with Brussels
According to Czech President Milos Zeman, Russia´s occupation of the Crimea is a “cold-bloodedly” step against the Ukraine. The crisis-ridden country should work together more closely with the EU.
March 22, 2014
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