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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
BNP: Austrian Economy Recovers
GDP in Austria contracted slightly in Q4 2011 as exports fell, but weak growth is likely to have resumed at the beginning of 2012, says BNP Paribas.
March 26, 2012
Keuschnigg: „Greece Must Leave Eurozone“
The Austrian Economist and designated director of HIS, Christian Keuschnigg advised Greece to leave the euro zone.
March 26, 2012
Municipalities: Indebtedness Per Capita on the Rise
According to the Austrian audit court, indebtedness of municipalities was up significantly over the last years.
March 24, 2012
Austrian Chamber of Commerce Underlines Importance of South Tyrol
The President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO), Christoph Leitl, met South Tyrols governor Luis Durnwalder and stresses the good political and economic relationship between South Tyrol and Austria.
March 24, 2012
2,000 New Jobs Created by Foreign Enterprises
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of foreign direct investment in Vienna. Last year, 126 foreign enterprises came to Vienna.
March 22, 2012
Increase in Employment and Unemployment
Overall situation of the Austrian labor market improved in 2011 compared to 2010.
March 22, 2012
Less Growth in Industrial Producer Prices
Decelerating growth in industrial producer prices: +1.9% in January 2012 compared to January 2011.
March 21, 2012
Banks have CEE-Subsidiaries „Under Control“
RBI´s CEO Herbert Stepic criticizes the skepticism against banking in Central and Eastern Europe. The economist Aiginger sees more advantages than risks for Austrian banks.
March 21, 2012
Moderate Rise in Austrian Bilateral Trade with Italy
In 2011, Austrian exports to Italy went up by 8.6% to € 9.3bn. After Germany, Italy is Austria´s second largest trade partner.
March 21, 2012
Austria Is Largest Investor in Turkey
In 2011, Turkey recorded $ 15.7bn in foreign direct investments, which is a rise by 74%.
March 20, 2012
Austrian Economy Recovers Slowly
The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees signs of a recovery. A recession is not expected.
March 20, 2012
Modest Economic Spring With Upward Potential
Bank Austria Business Indicator for February confirms that the economic turnaround has already begun. The outlook is positive.
March 19, 2012
“The Czech Republic Has Traditionally Been an Important Partner for Austria”
Austrian State Secretary Waldner meets Czech EU State Secretary Belling.
March 19, 2012
New Record in Swedish-Austrian Bilateral Trade Volume
Austrian exports to Sweden reached a new record level in 2011. Moreover, the first surplus could be registered.
March 17, 2012
Unemployment of Older Aged Workers Increases Disproportionately
The Austrian labor market registers a rise both in employment and unemployment of persons aged beyond 50. Especially unemployment of male persons aged beyond 50 rises dramatically.
March 17, 2012
Austrian Government Holds on Financial Transaction Tax
In spite of discordance at the EU-level, the Austrian government is convinced to impose taxes on financial transactions by 2014.
March 17, 2012
Corruption: Costs of € 27bn for Austrian Economy
Experts say that corruption increases in Austria. In 2012, adverse effects of € 27bn are expected.
March 16, 2012
Vienna Initiative an Insurance Policy, not a Game Changer, Fitch Says
The principles adopted Tuesday in “Vienna Initiative 2.0” do not change Fitch’s base case expectation that central, eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE) will continue to see weak, or marginally negative, credit growth in the near-to-medium term.
March 15, 2012
Austria Benefits from Economic Boom in Saudi Arabia
An Austrian trade delegation is looking for Saudi partners. This year, the bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed € 1.0bn again.
March 14, 2012
Slight Decline in Inflation Rate
The Austrian Consumer Price Inflation declined to +2.6% in February 2012.
March 14, 2012
GDP per Capita: Vienna Ranks 11th
In 2009, Austrian regions remained above average in terms of regional GDP per capita in the EU.
March 13, 2012
Private Insolvencies on the Rise
Long-term studies show that the number of private insolvencies is increasing in Austria. Since 2002, their number has tripled.
March 12, 2012
Working Time: 32% Work Longer than Stipulated
A study of the Austrian working atmosphere index shows that a substantial part of Austrian workers works longer than 40 hours per week.
March 10, 2012
Wirtschaftsbund: Leitl Re-Elected
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has been re-elected as chairman of Wirtschaftsbund. 92.7% of the delegates voted for Leitl.
March 10, 2012
„The Public Sector Does not Get Enough“
Klaus Pöttinger, President of Upper Austria´s IV takes Switzerland as model. Taxes would be too high, efficiency of the public sector is too low, he says.
March 9, 2012
Leitl: „Austerity Package Is Not Enough“
For Christoph Leitl, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), the recently resolved austerity package does not contain the essential reforms.
March 9, 2012
WIFO Forecasts Economic Stabilization
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) expects a slight improvement in the Austrian economic development. Upward indicators become more significant.
March 9, 2012
Imports Grow Stronger than Exports
January to December 2011: Austrian imports rose by 15%, exports increased by 12%.
March 9, 2012
Foreign Direct Investment in Austria Increasing
In 2011, a moderate decline in new enterprise settlements was registered. Investments grew by 34%.
March 8, 2012
„Going to America 2012“: AWO Supports Austrian Business in USA
Foreign Trade Austria (AWO) shows business opportunities in the U.S. to domestic companies.
March 8, 2012
Austria and Bulgaria Clear Way for Business-Friendly Climate
Business representatives from Austria and Bulgaria agreed upon a business-friendly climate and clear rules at a Sofia forum,
March 8, 2012
Bank Taxes: Nowotny Supports Government
OeNB´s governor Ewald Nowotny defends the coalition plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.
March 7, 2012
Wholesale Prices Slightly Up
Wholesale price index in February 2012: +1.5% against February 2011. Austrian service enterprises achieved an increase of turnover by 3.5% for 2011.
March 7, 2012
Public Debt Agency: “Unnecessary to Change Bonds Issuance Plans”
Austria sees no need to change its debt issuance program and is sticking to its plan to stay below the European Union’s deficit ceiling this year even as it injects cash into Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG (VBPS) and KA Finanz.
March 6, 2012
Again Criticism on Austerity Package: „Lack in Sustainability“
The President of the Viennese Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Kapsch, misses details of the austerity package. The package is not ambitious enough, Kapsch considers.
March 5, 2012
Viennese Office Market: Collapse Threatens
Although office rents are relatively low in Austria´s capital, multinational companies tend to establish their headquarters elsewhere. Real estate experts fear a vicious circle.
March 5, 2012
Austerity Package: Sorger Misses Reforms
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, sees a massive lack in structural reforms. The austerity package is a “missed opportunity”.
March 3, 2012
Fiscal Treaty: Austrian Economy Satisfied, Opposition Criticizes
After the signing of the EU fiscal treaty at the EU Summit today, reactions in Austria are very different. The largest opposition party FPÖ calls for a popular vote.
March 2, 2012
Austrian Economy Appreciates Serbian Approach to EU
Serbia officially became candidate for the EU-access. Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the “European perspective” for Serbia.
March 2, 2012
Austerity Package Threatens to Fail
The strict timeline of the Austrian austerity package could cause its preliminary failure. Federal President Fischer says not to have enough time to control the act.
March 2, 2012
Nowotny: „Austrian Banking Activities in CEE Better than their Reputation”
According to the governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, Austrian banks engaged in Central and Eastern Europe are more stable than they are supposed to be.
March 1, 2012
Rise in Austrian Unemployment Rate
At the end of February, 380,000 persons were unemployed. This is a rise of 5.2%. At the EU level, Austria´s unemployment rate is still the lowest.
March 1, 2012
VBAG´s Rescue Endangers Austerity Targets
In 2012, savings should reach € 576m. However, only write-offs in VBAG cost € 700m. The Austrian government seeks for additional revenues.
February 29, 2012
Banking Industry As „Cash Cow“?
For RZB´s CEO Rothensteiner, the increase in bank tax is “not fair”. The government plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.
February 29, 2012
Public Dispute Over Privatizations
The two government parties disagree to the sale of further publicly held companies. ÖVP pushes for privatizations, for SPÖ the idea is inacceptable.
February 29, 2012
Slight Decrease in Inflation
Decline in Austrian Consumer Price Inflation to +3.0% in January 2012.
February 29, 2012
„Banks are the Real Austrian Problem“
The Austrian opposition criticizes the rescue of VBAG by the government massively. Further bank aids are feared.
February 28, 2012
New Criticism on Austerity Package
For the chief economist at RZB, Peter Brezinschek, the austerity package is not ambitious enough. The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl, criticizes the introduction of new taxes.
February 28, 2012
Spring Boost for Austrian Industry?
Bank Austria's Purchasing Managers' Index in February confirms trend reversal. A strong production growth thanks to solid gains in foreign orders is observed.
February 28, 2012
Austria: Low Attractiveness as Research Location
According to a study among European scientists, Austria loses its reputation. The most attractive destination is the U.S.
February 27, 2012