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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
Manufacturing Industry Welcomes Red-White-Red Card"
IV-President Sorger: Innovative immigration system is an incentive for highly skilled workers; the abolition of the quota is a major political location signal.
February 23, 2011
Kazakhstan as a Chance for Foreign Trade
Austrian Economic Chamber promotes further development of economic relations with Kazakhstan.
February 23, 2011
Brenner Tunnel: ÖBB will not pay
The Austrian Federal Railways will only accept to build the tunnel for € 10bn, if the costs are passed on to the state.
February 22, 2011
Saving in Austria Still Popular
Erste Bank’s forecast on savings and credit trends: Austrians plan to set aside approximately € 5,460 in 2011.
February 22, 2011
Free Trade Agreement with South Korea
WKÖ: Additional trade potential for Austrian companies in South Korea for € 350m.
February 19, 2011
Austrian Industrial Producer Prices up by 4.9%
Ongoing upward trend for industrial producer prices in December 2010: +4.9% compared to December 2009; Annual average 2010: +2.7% against 2009
February 19, 2011
Shortage of Highly Skilled Workers in Austria
The lack of highly qualified employees in Austria turns into an increasingly strong competitive disadvantage.
February 18, 2011
Austria's Budget Deficit is Lower than Expected
The preliminary budget outcome for 2010 is 0.6% better than forecast. However, the results of the ÖBB could increase the deficit again.
February 17, 2011
Austrian Economic Chamber criticizes Pension System
The Premium Model of the Economic Chambers rewards working longer instead of early retirement.
February 17, 2011
Economic Indicator: 2011 Brings More Dynamism to Austria's Economy
Economic recovery has stabilized rapidly in Austria. The Bank Austria Business Indicator has climbed to a three-year high.
February 17, 2011
Vacancies in Austria up by 64%
78,900 job vacancies in the fourth quarter 2010, an annual percentage change of +64%.
February 17, 2011
Increase in Electricity and Gas Consumption
Austrian electricity consumption rises to the level before the economic crisis. Gas consumption is also showing a new record.
February 16, 2011
Real Estate Privatization: Proceeds up to € 1.5bn
According to a study, the Austrian government could generate around € 1.5bn from the partial privatization of its real estate company.
February 16, 2011
Strong Sales and Weak Profits in Austria's Retail Business
Almost all sectors recorded sales growth, but not all businesses benefited from the boom: "Sales growth is not equal to profit growth".
February 16, 2011
aws: Investments in Austria Rise Again
"Companies are investing more heavily in expanding and adding production capacity", reports the management of aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice).
February 16, 2011
Economic Growth Decreased Slightly in the 4th Quarter of 2010
The rise of Austria's economic performance in the 4th quarter 2010 was 0.6% in real terms compared with the previous quarter. This figure does not exactly strengthen the momentum of the economy.
February 16, 2011
Construction Costs Further on the Rise
The Austrian construction cost index with new base year 2010 increases by 3.7% in January 2011.
February 16, 2011
Declining Trend in Insolvencies is Forecast for 2011
2011 brings a slight decline in insolvencies to Austria, but the economic recovery will not suffice for a substantial change in the trend.
February 16, 2011
Industrial Activity: Styria above Austrian Average
The economic barometer of the Styrian manufacturing industry is above the average of the federal provinces for the fourth consecutive year. Optimism for 2011 is increasing.
February 15, 2011
Technology Offensive in Carinthia
Very powerful R&D developments are to be observed in Carinthia: expenditure for R&D rose from 0.42% in 1993 to 2.43% according to the latest figures.
February 14, 2011
Stepic: Austria is Destroying its Business Location
The CEO of Raiffeisen International Bank (RBI), Herbert Stepic, considers the domestic business location to be in grave danger.
February 12, 2011
Austrian Unemployment Shrinks
The unemployment rate (Austrian standard) decreased from 8.9% in January 2010 to 8.5% in January 2011.
February 12, 2011
Lopatka Demands Structural Reforms and Budgetary Discipline
The State Secretary for Finance at the German-Austrian Financial and Economic Forum.
February 11, 2011
Austrian Constructing Price Index Rising
Construction output price index for building construction and civil engineering increased by 3.9%.
February 11, 2011
Sustained Growth
International economic recovery continues in early 2011. The WIFO business survey also indicates sustained growth for Austria.
February 10, 2011
Massive Increase in Public Debt
Austrian public debt could rise dramatically soon by a new calculation involving separate legal entities.
February 10, 2011
Jank: Vienna Leads in Company Start-Ups
Almost 8,000 enterprises founded in 2010, a quarter of all Austrian start-ups, comes from Vienna.
February 10, 2011
Property Restoration Provides Hopes for Growth and Employment
With the release of € 400m for thermal rehabilitation, five times as much is to be generated in sales. Up to 80% of this amount stays in Austria.
February 10, 2011
Business Climate Improves in Eastern Europe
According to the Austrian Kontrollbank (OeKB), the Business Climate Index has risen in Eastern Europe for the seventh consecutive time.
February 9, 2011
Rising Bankruptcy Fears in Eastern Europe
The Austrian Creditor Protection Association “Creditreform” foresees a further rise in bankruptcies in Eastern Europe. The economic crisis is not over yet.
February 9, 2011
Manpower Austria Increased Sales
The sales of the U.S. services group Manpower increased last year by 54% to € 130m in Austria.
February 8, 2011
Oil Prices Rose Sharply in December
The Energy Price Index (EPI) calculated by the Austrian Energy Agency rose 2.3% in December 2010 compared with the previous month.
February 8, 2011
Wholesale Price Index Strongly Rising
Austrian Wholesale price index in January 2011: +11.6% against January 2010.
February 8, 2011
Austria Savers Remain Cautious
For 67% of Austrian savers, savings’ security is a priority. High yields only plays a role for about 10% .
February 5, 2011
AMS Reports 2010 Vacancies Record
In 2010, 404,733 vacancies were reported, representing an increase of 50,575 jobs over 2009.
February 5, 2011
WIFO Promotes Expansion of the State Holding
The Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research wants to concentrate all Austrian state-owned enterprises in the ÖIAG.
February 5, 2011
Eder Considers European Manufacturing Industry is at a Disadvantage
For the CEO of the Austrian steel company voestalpine, the European manufacturing industry is at a disadvantage, despite innovative leadership.
February 5, 2011
Austrian Foreign Trade Figures Rising Strongly
From January to November 2010, Austrian foreign trade grew substantially. Imports and exports increased by 15.8%
February 5, 2011
Leitl Urges to Invest in the Future
Despite consolidation needs, the government has to invest more in education, research and innovation, says the President of the WKÖ.
February 4, 2011
Below Average Privatization in Austria, according to ECEG
Regarding privatizations, Austria is still far behind, according to the European Coalition for Economic Growth (ECEG).
February 4, 2011
Manufacturing Industry on the Rise
The economic barometer of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) grows. Production increase and stable employment are expected.
February 4, 2011
Mitterlehner Wishes to Push SMEs and Venture Capital
The Austrian Minister of Economy launches an initiative with the aim of doubling the venture capital of Austrian companies to € 400m.
February 4, 2011
Consumption Expenditure of Foreign Tourists Grows
Russian and Chinese tourists are proving to be particularly generous consumers in Austria. Overall sales rose by 23% in 2010.
February 3, 2011
National Bank Warns against Foreign Currency Loans
According to the governor of the Österreichischen Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrian National Bank), Ewald Nowotny, the sum of pending foreign currency loans in Austria is € 54bn.
February 3, 2011
Privatizations Could Raise up to € 24bn on Vienna Stock Exchange
Especially the privatization of public infrastructure and energy companies could increase the market capitalization of the Vienna Stock Exchange considerably.
February 3, 2011
Leitl Demands Support for Brenner Tunnel
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber considers the Brenner Tunnel infrastructure project as crucial for the business location Austria.
February 2, 2011
Declining Unemployment in Austria
Uunemployment could be reduced by 4.3% even in the traditionally for the labor market difficult winter months.
February 2, 2011
Austrian Retail Trade Accelerates Economic Upward Trend
In 2010, the Austrian retail trade rose by 4.0%. Thus, this figure represents the highest retail trade growth since the 1990s.
February 2, 2011
Innovativeness in Austria Drops
In the European comparison, Austria’s innovativeness is dropping and is presently located only in the upper mid-range.
February 2, 2011
Austria's Budget Deficit is at 4.1%
Although the budget deficit is lower than expected, but the official national debt could increase considerably due to the ÖBB.
February 1, 2011