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