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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
„There´s no Crisis in Eastern Europe“
Austrian economists and bankers do not comprehend the downgrade by Moody´s. The risk in Eastern Europe would be more differentiated, OeNB´s governor Nowotny said.
June 8, 2012
Austrians Highly Care About Retirement Provision
Austrians highly appreciate the security and stability of their own country and this is also reflected in their approach to financial matters and retirement provisioning.
June 8, 2012
Slow Growth in Austrian Foreign Trade
January to March 2012: small increase in imports (2.3%) and exports (2.8%).
June 6, 2012
Sharp Decrease in Austrian Retail Trade
In the Eurozone, the Volume of retail trade was down by 1.0% in euro area. The highest monthly decrease was observed in Austria.
June 6, 2012
Downgrade for Austrian Banks
The U.S. rating agency Moody´s downgrades Erste Group, Raiffeisen Bank International and Bank Austria.
June 6, 2012
Insolvencies: Stable Development Expected
In 2012, the number of Austrian business insolvencies is expected to remain stable. Whereas in Germany and the U.S. insolvencies are decreasing, Southern Europe faces a vast increase.
June 5, 2012
Small Growth Rate in Austrian Service Industry
Austrian service enterprises achieved an increase of turnover by 4.0% in the first quarter 2012.
June 5, 2012
Employment Benefits from High Growth Dynamics
The encouraging growth trends provided a very welcome boost to employment in the Austrian federal provinces. The construction industry stabilises.
June 5, 2012
Launch of 21st Austria Initiative
The heads of renowned corporations intend to highlight Austria's economic expertise on the international stage with the "21st Austria" initiative.
June 5, 2012
Different Economic Dynamics Among Austrian Provinces
In 2011, Styria achieved the highest economic growth rate among the nine Austrian provinces. This year, Upper Austria is expected to lead the ranking.
June 4, 2012
Austria to Expand Relations with Cyprus
Federal President Fischer and WKO´s President Leitl accomodated the Cypriot-Austrian Business Forum. Economic relations show potential for expansion and further development.
June 4, 2012
Trade Unions Wants „Just Taxation“
The Austrian Trade Unions warn of a strict austerity policy and pushes for growth stimulating measures.
June 2, 2012
Rising Unemployment – Industry Claims More Flexibility
Among the EU member states, Austria has still the lowest unemployment quota. Compared to May 2011, the number of unemployed persons rose by 5.1%.
June 1, 2012
State Visit: Fischer in Vietnam
On the occasion of the state visit of Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce signed commercial contracts worth € 150m.
June 1, 2012
EU Calls on Austria to Accelerate Reforms
Austria has to put more effort in reforms. In the fields of education, labor market, retirement plan and budget consolidation, Austria shows deficits.
June 1, 2012
More than 300,000 Unemployed
The situation of theAustrian labor market remains tensioned. At the end of May, 300,000 persons did not have a job.
June 1, 2012
Slow Growth in Austrian Industry
In 2012, the Austrian economy is expected to grow by 0.8%. The overall uncertainty remains, optimism in the Austrian industrial sector shrinks.
June 1, 2012
Economic Balance: EU Warns Austria
The Commission of the EU issues an early warning for Austria as the thresholds of three macro-economic indicators were exceeded.
May 31, 2012
Austria´s Education Does not Keep up with Globalization
The Austrian economy suffers from a lack in skilled labor. Facing the rising competitiveness of emerging countries, this may become a major problem for Autria.
May 31, 2012
Austrian Business Location: Further Slump in Competitiveness
According to the Swiss Management Institute IMD, Austria only ranks 21th among 59 analyzed countries. The Austrian tax policy is the absolute weak point.
May 31, 2012
The Euro - A Big Error (Part 4)
The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.
May 31, 2012
Switzerland Ratifies Tax Treaty with Austria
The Swiss National Council approved the tax deal with Austria. Illegal funds of Austrian nationals in Switzerland will be taxed.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Budget Target Endangered
In spite of decreasing revenues and rising expenses, Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter expects to reach the budget target.
May 30, 2012
„Something Is Wrong in Austria“
According to the Austrian Chamber of Labor, Austrian workers have to bear the highest burden of the crisis. The contribution of great fortunes would be insufficient.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Industry: „Growth Instead of Redistribution“
After the Austrian Chamber of Labor claimed he Federation of Austrian Industry underlines that Austria has the highest redistribution quota among OECD members.
May 30, 2012
Exposure in Eastern Europe Remains Austria´s Weak Point
The Commission of the European Union warned Austria of the big exposure of domestic banks in Eastern Europe. Moreover, the austerity package was criticized.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Proposal for EU Growth and Innovation Fund
In-depth discussion at the General Affairs Council on the multi-annual financial framework of the EU. Austria pushes for more economizations.
May 30, 2012
Positive Trend in Austrian Industrial and Construction Sector
In February 2012; turnover in the industrial and construction sector was up by 11.8%. Construction output grew by 10.4%.
May 30, 2012
Vienna Tops Worldwide Ranking of "Smart Cities"
The online magazine "Co.Exist" put's Austria's capital at the top of a list of "smart cities" ahead of Toronto, New York and Berlin.
May 29, 2012
The Euro - A Big Error (Part 3)
The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.
May 29, 2012
"Europe Needs Economic Growth and Budget Discipline“
Structural reforms are necessary to make Europe sustainably more competitive, Christoph Leitl, President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO) says.
May 26, 2012
Erste Group: Poland and Ukraine Benefit from Euro 2012
EURO 2012 investments helped to boost investments in both countries. € 30.2bn invested whereof approx. 90% spent on infrastructure in Poland & Ukraine.
May 26, 2012
Austrian Chamber of Economics Claims Growth Package
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce thinks that Austria and Europe would both need growth and austerity measures.
May 25, 2012
Greece and Eurobonds Divide Austria
The Greek exit and the introduction of Eurobonds are discussed heatedly. In Austria, there is no clear tendency.
May 25, 2012
Austrian Economy: OeNB Demonstrates Optimism
The Austrian Central Bank is satisfied with the performance of the domestic economy underlines the necessity of austerity measures.
May 24, 2012
Nowotny: „Austria is Safe“
The governor of Austria´s Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny asserts that the economic stability in Austria is substantially better than in other regions of the Eurozone.
May 23, 2012
Fekter Warns of Greek Exit
Austrias Finance Minister Maria Fekter sees enormous difficulties in the case of an exit out of the Eurozone. The Financial Market Authority (FMA) supports Fekter.
May 23, 2012
The Euro – A Big Error (Part 2)
The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.
May 23, 2012
Austrian Industrial Sector Pushes for Austerity
The Federation of Austrian Industries sees still a huge potential to reduce public expenses and underlines the importance of the industrial sector.
May 22, 2012
Fekter: Hollande´s Suggestions are “Nonsense”
Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger and Finance Minister Fekter are strictly against the introduction of Eurobonds and any amendments of the Fiscal Treaty.
May 22, 2012
Life Quality: Austria in the Upper Middle Field
Austria´s position in the “Better Life Index” is in the upper middle field. The work-life balance and the education are seen as weaknesses.
May 22, 2012
Black Labor Decreases
In Austria, the share of black labor is still big. However, there is a downward trend.
May 22, 2012
Service Exports Key Success Factor for Austrian Foreign Trade
Regardless of global economic turbulence, Austria enjoyed considerable success in the international trade of goods and services in 2011.
May 22, 2012
“Three Problems of Europe: Divergence, Indebtedness and Weak Banks”
The new director of the Austrian IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) Christian Keuschnigg thinks that a Greek exit would have to take place suddenly.
May 21, 2012
Massive Gap in Purchasing Power
Purchasing Power Parities 2012: Higher travel costs for overseas destinations; Austrians' purchasing power 40–70% above the level in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary.
May 21, 2012
The Euro – A Big Error (Part 1)
The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.
May 20, 2012
Sorger Underlines Austrian Crisis Management
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Veit Sorger reaffirms the necessity of austerity and investments of the private sector.
May 19, 2012
Androsch Criticizes Political Inactivity
The former Austrian Finance Minister and industrialist Hannes Androsch thinks that both austerity and growth strategies are needed and criticizes the government sharply.
May 18, 2012
Corporate Lending in CEE Remains Stable
According to Bank Austria, financing to the corporate sector is holding up well, but a diverging performance among countries is likely to persist.
May 18, 2012
„ECB Must Help Spain“
If real estate price in Spain fall further, Spanish banks were not able to bear that risk. A Greek exit could cost Austria up to € 10bn.
May 18, 2012