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Austrian Economic News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about Austria's economy, including news on inflation, growth domestic product (GDP), nation's debt and labor market
Support for Export-Oriented SMEs
The Austrian Ministry of Finance increased the bill guarantee facility for small and medium-sized enterprises to € 1.2bn.
June 29, 2012
Euro-Crisis Continues
According to RCB, the factional dispute between Germany and France decisive for the eurozone. An easing of the situation is not expected.
June 29, 2012
Austria Connect 2012 in Washington D.C.
From September 13, 2012 to September 15, 2012 the Austrian Trade Commissions will hold its conference in Washington D.C.
June 29, 2012
WIFO Wants Unlimited Firewall
According to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, the firewall must be big enough in order to make speculation against the euro unattractive.
June 28, 2012
Leitl: „Securing Austria´s Top Ranking“
WKO´s President Christoph Leitl calls for reforms. In order retain Austria´s economic position, reforms should be accelerated and taxes should be cut.
June 27, 2012
Credit Crunch in CESEE?
Anglo-Saxon banks and funds are most aggressive in deleveraging; Austrian bank are not relying on funding from countries in hotspots of deleveraging.
June 27, 2012
EU Discusses Growth and Employment Pact
Austria´s State Secretary Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg: „Putting and end to the negative spiral“.
June 27, 2012
Fiscal Pact More Expansive for Austria than for Germany
According to the latest calculations, small Eurozone member states would have to pay higher transfers than Germany.
June 26, 2012
Austrian Banks Affected by European Crisis
Bank Austria´s CEO Willibald Cernko still believes in the common currency. Last year, earnings went down by 14.6%.
June 26, 2012
Survival of the Euro Questionable
Regarding the future of the common currency, the Austrian economist Fritz Breuss is highly skeptical.
June 26, 2012
Austria Among More Expensive EU Countries
In 2011, the price levels varied from 51% of the EU27 average in Bulgaria to 142% in Denmark. Austria came at 107%.
June 26, 2012
„The end of the Euro would mean Europe´s Explosion“
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) reaffirms that Europe needs the Euro.
June 25, 2012
Investment Attractivity: Poland Ranks Second
According to Ernst & Young, the most attractive location for investments in Europe is Germany, which is followed by its Eastern Neighbour Poland.
June 25, 2012
New IV´s President Dissatisfied with Political System
The corruption scandals oft he past would damage Austria´s reputation as business location, Georg Kapsch thinks.
June 23, 2012
Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax
There was no agreement on a common financial transaction tax in all EU member states. Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter wants to introduce the tax in a group of countries instead.
June 23, 2012
Green Party: ESM Approval Depends on Financial Transaction Tax
The Austrian Green party will only vote for the ESM if there is a basic consent for the financial transaction tax.
June 22, 2012
Government´s Plans on Bank Insolvency Law Failed
The Austrian government initially planned to initiate a bank insolvency law in order to liquidate financially stricken banks without major difficulties. Now, the plan has failed.
June 22, 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
Austria´s Exports to Asia on the Rise
Last year, Austrian exports totaled € 122bn. Above all, exports to emergin markets Brazil, India and China are growing.
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
CESEE Banks: Small Exposure in Southern Europe
The riskiness of assets held by CESEE banks is manageable, the U.S. rating agency Fitch says. The CESEE region has closer links to Western Europe than to Southern Europe.
June 20, 2012
Austrian GDP Per Capita Third Highest in EU
According to first estimates for 2011, the GDP per capita in the Member States ranged from 45% to 274% of the EU27 average in 2011.
June 20, 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
“UK Faces Skills Tragedy"
The Austrian crane manufacturer Liebherr-Sunderland has urged UK engineering businesses to upskill to ensure they can compete effectively in high value international markets.
June 19, 2012
Tricky Climate for Austrian Economy
The economic activity continues to lose pace – a weaker economic growth is expected for the remainder of the year. Exports and stable domestic demand support an unchanged GDP forecast of 0.8 per cent for 2012.
June 19, 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
Business Involvencies on the Rise Again
There is a trend reversal in the Austrian economy. In the first half of 2012, business insolvencies will be up by 1.2%, Creditreform forecasts.
June 16, 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
Gloomy Growth Prospects for Austria
Bank Austria cuts its growth prospects for Austria. Instead of a GDP growth of 2.0% in 2013, the analysts now expect economic growth to reach 1.5%.
June 16, 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
Austrian Hourly Labor Costs Rise Significantly
First quarter 2012 compared with first quarter 2011: Euro area hourly labour costs rose by 2.0%.
June 14, 2012
Austrian Labor Market: Rise in Employment
More employees and fewer self-employed in the first quarter of 2012; decrease in unemployment and job vacancies.
June 14, 2012
Austrian Inflation Rate Decreased Slightly
Further decrease of consumer price inflation to 2.1% (HICP 2.3%) in May 2012.
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
Fitch: „AAA Endangered in Case of Greek Exit“
The U.S. rating agency warns the remaining AAA-Eurozone members of the consequences of a Greek exit.
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
Austrian Central Bank Expects Economic Stabilization
Austria´s budget deficit is expected to decrease, the economic growth should increase slightly.
June 11, 2012
Slow Growth in First Quarter
In the first three months of 2012, the Austrian economy grew by 0.3% against the prior quarter. The outlook is very cautious.
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
The Vienna Initiative – Moving to the New Phase „Vienna Plus“
The Vienna Initiative’s stakeholders decided to transform the Initiative so that it plays an important role in helping with crisis prevention, while remaining available to deal with any aftershocks from the global crisis.
June 8, 2012
Optimistic Economic Forecasts for Austria
According tot he Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Austria´s economic growth will be substantially above the European average.
June 8, 2012