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Austria and Germany - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

Austria: Leitl Demands Impulses for Growth and Employment

Enterprises need to be motivated instead of being burded by further taxes, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) Christoph Leitl argues.

August 1, 2013

Austria: Verbund to Take Austerity Measures

Only a few months ago, CEO of Verbund Wolfgang Anzengruber promised that “2013 will become the best year in the company’s history”. However, there have been bad news for the energy company ever since.

August 1, 2013

Slovenia: New Record for People Leaving the Country

According to the Statistics Office, the number of Slovenian citizens moving from the country came to a new record in 2012.

July 31, 2013

Poland: First Signs of Recovery from Crisis

Deputy Finance Minister Janusz Cichon expressed his optimism about the country’s soon economic recovery via Twitter by referring to Poland’s industrial performance and retail sales in the last month.

July 25, 2013

Immofinanz Postpones Buwog’s Going Public

Austrian real estate company Immofinanz has put off the initial public offering of its affiliate Buwog. The reason for the postponement is the unstable market environment. The new date for an IPO is 2014.

July 24, 2013

Voestalpine: Cartel Proceedings Finally Settled

voestalpine AG response to the German Cartel Office's rail cartel announcement issued yesterday.

July 24, 2013

Conwert: Strategic Repositioning Completed

CEO for conwert in Q4 2013

July 24, 2013

Austrian Industrial Sector Fears Drop in Exports

In the first five months of 2012, Austrian exports were only up by 3%. The outlook is rather gloomy. The Austrian Chamber of Commerce demonstrates pessimism.

July 18, 2013

Siemens Austria Plans Radical Job Cut

The Austrian subsidiary of the German technology group wants to reduce its workforce.

July 16, 2013

Austrian GDP Growth Above European Average

In 2012, Austria saw a growth of GDP of 0.9 percent which is signifantly above the European average.

July 12, 2013

Austrian Economy Dependent on Neighbor Countries

Austria’s economy is getting through the crisis better than the Eurozone. However, the country owes this partly to neighboring countries.

July 11, 2013

IMF Downgrades Growth Prognosis for Eurozone

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prospects of growth in the Eurozone are still positive. However, they are not as good as in April. Germany and Austria are concerned as well.

July 10, 2013

Alpine: 2,600 Jobs Secured

Social Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer assumes that a lot of Alpine employees will continue to be employed. Former CEO Schiefer announced that Alpine was “clinically dead” when he took over management in April 2013.

July 1, 2013

Turkey Becoming Important Global Investor

According to the latest survey by UNCTAD, Turkey has become an important investor.

June 28, 2013

Austria: Harsh Blow for OMV

The pipeline “Nabucco”, a project with Austrian energy enterprise OMV taking the lead, will not receive gas from the gas field Sha Deniz II. This was announced by the mineral oil company on Wednesday.

June 26, 2013

Austrians to Invest Strongly in FDIs

Austrian investors have increased their direct investments in foreign countries by eleven percent to a total of € 145.5bn while FDIs in Austria remain unchanged at € 118.3bn.

June 26, 2013

Magna Not to Leave Austria for Eastern Europe

“There will be no impacts on Austria or Styria“, a spokeswoman announced. Instead, a plant in Belgium will “probably” be closed.

June 26, 2013

Hypo Group and BayernLB Keep on Fighting

Hypo Group responds to the BayernLB’s lawfile at the Regional Court in Munich. Both banks will not give up their very hard stance.

June 26, 2013

Ukraine Could Become Energy Hub in Europe

According to EU Enlargement Commissioner Füle, Ukraine is an important partner of the EU.

June 26, 2013

Alpine: Work to be Resumed At Construction Sites

Time pressure grows. Work at the closed down construction sites of bankrupt Alpine it to be resumed soon.

June 26, 2013

Alpine: Biggest Bankruptcy in Austrian History

Bankrupt-gone construction company Alpine operates at 1,400 construction sites and is supposed to complete orders in the amount of € 800m. The shutting down of the enterprise has been decided.

June 25, 2013

Austria: Investigations on Loan to Alpine

Apparently ailing bank Hypo Group plays a role in the bankruptcy of Austrian construction company Alpine. The bank is supposed to have granted a bridge loan.

June 21, 2013

No Further EU Accession Talks with Turkey

The European Union is obviously going to blow the planned accession negotiation with Turkey next Wednesday because of the recent escalations of violence in the capital Ankara.

June 20, 2013

AUA „Makes Good Progress“

Chairman of Lufthansa Christoph Franz is confident that the Austrian affiliate Austrian Airways (AUA) will be able to make the turnaround in time.

June 20, 2013

Alpine: Thousands of Jobs At Risk

Alpine’s Insolvency could cost thousands of people’s jobs. According to Social Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer, the Social Ministry would utilize all means to prevent a worst-case scenario. Alpine's affiliate in Germany is filing for bankruptcy as well.

June 20, 2013

Polish Road Authority As Tardy Payer

Prime Minister Tusk seems unimpressed about ambassadors from six countries filing a complaint.

June 19, 2013

Alpine Facing Bankruptcy

The restructuring of Austria’s second biggest construction company Alpine has failed. The enterprise therefore has to face bankruptcy.

June 19, 2013

Strabag: Haselsteiner to Leave as CEO

Russia will not surpass Germany as the most important market, the outgoing CEO explains. He expresses his disappointment in the market.

June 14, 2013

Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.

June 11, 2013

WKO Export Day in Vienna

On June 20, the Export Day (Exporttag) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) will take place in Vienna. Economic delegates from all over the world will be present.

June 8, 2013

Serbia: No EU Accession Negotiations in 2013

Serbia will not be able to start the desired negotiations for an EU membership this year.

June 6, 2013

Lopatka: "Visa Cooperation Reinforces Mutual Ties Between Austria and the Czech Republic"

Austrian State-Secretary on the signing of a new agreement and working meetings in Prague.

June 4, 2013

Czech Republic: Dumping Offers for Building of Highway

Major construction companies screw down prices for the building of a highway segment from Linz to Prague.

June 3, 2013

Russia: Gazprom Looking for Alternative Markets

After 40 years of a surge in revenues, Russian energy giant Gazprom has to face turbulent times in Europe.

June 3, 2013

Austria: Unemployment Rose By 9.5 Percent

In total, 330,309 persons were looking for a job in May. Austria still has the lowest unemployment rate within the European Union.

June 3, 2013

Hypo: Contract Could Be Signed Today

Today the Austrian affiliate of Hypo Group could be transferred to the property of Indian Srei Group. The company is a fast-growing listed enterprise with around 30,000 clients.

May 31, 2013

World Competitive Ranking: Austria Loses 7 Ranks

The World Competitive Ranking of Lausanne IMD Private School of Economics has become one of the most significant location comparisons on an international basis in the last 25 years.

May 29, 2013

Romania to Enhance Shale Gas Production

Romania has announced to soon launch further tenders to increase the exploration of shale gas.

May 27, 2013

Croatia: PM Anxious About Country’s Image

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that Croatia had to fight hard for its reputation within the European Union.

May 27, 2013

Siemens to Cut 1,000 Jobs in Austria?

No official figures were disclosed. However, there are “programs”, which have to be negotiated with employees, according to a spokesman.

May 24, 2013

Voestalpine Intends to Boost Business in Germany

The Upper-Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine wants to significantly increase its business in Germany.

May 23, 2013

Orban’s „Derailment“ Causes Indignation in Germany

Hungary’s head of government Viktor Orban seems to love the confrontation. However, with the accusation of Germany using Nazi-methods he overstepped the mark in terms of tact.

May 21, 2013

S Immo AG Invests in Berlin

S Immo purchased office property in Berlin's Sonnenallee.

May 21, 2013

Serbia Considering Loan Agreement With IMF

Serbia is considering discussing a possible IMF loan after EU entry talks are agreed on. German Finance Minister Guido Westerwelle announced his support in Serbia’s path to an EU membership.

May 21, 2013

Rosenbauer: Out of Court Settlement Reached

Rosenbauer and two other manufacturers have signed a settlement agreement with the German municipal umbrella organizations providing for out-of-court restitution in connection with the fire fighting vehicle cartel in Germany.

May 14, 2013

EU Commission Expects Austria to Agree To EUSD

Head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem expects a constructive approach of Austria in the debate about the automatice exchange of data of tax foreigners in Europe.

May 13, 2013

Austria: Domestic Banks Reject Taking Over Hypo Group

The task force, appointed for Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the government, held a meeting again today. It is only two more weeks until the suggestions have to be presented to Brussels. Domestic banks reject participating in a bad bank.

May 13, 2013

Main Investors at CEE Stock Exchange Group from US

Institutional Investors and the CEE Stock Exchange Group in 2012.

May 13, 2013

FCC in the Reds Again

High Losses in first quarter for Alpine’s parent company FCC.

May 7, 2013

Istanbul to Receive € 22bn for World's Largest Airport

Today, a Turkish construction consortium has secured itself a record sum of around € 22bn for the contract of the construction of the world’s biggest airport in Istanbul.

May 3, 2013