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

Hungary Cuts Interest Rates Again

The Council of Hungarian National Bank, which is dominated by representatives of the Hungarian government decided to cut the base rate from 6.50% to 6.25%.

October 31, 2012

Purchasing Power: Austria Ranks 6

Regarding the purchasing power per head, Austria is significantly above the European average of € 12,802.

October 31, 2012

EU Budget Cuts would Affect Poland

In the last six years, Poland benefitted substantially from EU funds. A cut of € 23bn is being discussed.

October 30, 2012

Hungary: Employment on the Rise

80 thousand more people in work in the third quarter than a year ago.

October 30, 2012

Erste Group´s Earnings Expected to Increase

The Austrian banking group will present its figures for the third quarter tomorrow. Net income is forecasted to improve.

October 29, 2012

Donau Chemie Starts Expansion in Hungary

The Austrian chemical group invests € 6.5m in a new factory in Eastern Hungary.

October 29, 2012

Bawag: Hungarian Exposure Shrinks

The Austrian bank gradually withdraws from Hungary. The stake in MKB Bank becomes smaller.

October 23, 2012

Hungary Does not Exclude to Increase Bank Tax

Prime Minister Orban refers to the pressure coming from Brussels. Hungary must reduce the budget deficit below 3.0% of GDP.

October 20, 2012

Fekter Interested in Hungary´s Bank Taxation Plans

The Austrian Minister of Finance wants to analyse the taxation plans of the Hungarian government thoroughly. The bank taxes would be “highly interesting”, Fekter says.

October 19, 2012

RBI: We Will Not Leave Hungary

Herbert Stepic, CEO of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is highly dissatisfied with Hungary´s decision not to reduce bank taxes. However, RBI will stay, he says.

October 18, 2012 · Updated: October 18, 2012; 17:08

Hungary: Gross Earnings Growing

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 4.7%.

October 18, 2012

Hungarian Tax Plans: Austrian Banks Annoyed

Because of the pressing need to reduce the budget deficit, Hungary´s government decided not to lower the bank tax. Moreover, the financial transaction tax will be doubled.

October 18, 2012

Hungary Doubles Financial Transaction Tax

The Hungarian Minister of Economics Gyorgy Matolcsy announced that the financial transaction tax will be increased to 0.2%. Moreover, the bank taxes will not be reduced.

October 17, 2012

Hungary Reaffirms Not to Enter Eurozone

After the meeting with Germany´s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban explained that the euro must offer a perspective again.

October 16, 2012

Hungary Wants Foreign Land Owners to Leave

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to bring back “stolen land”.

October 15, 2012

Hungarian Construction Industry Shrinks

In August 2012, construction decreased by 5.3% in output year-on-year. The construction of buildings decreased by one tenth, while that of civil engineering works grew slightly.

October 15, 2012

Orban Blames EU for Austerity Cuts

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban explains that Hungary has no other choice but to deepen the austerity cuts.

October 13, 2012

Hungary: Industrial Production Declines Slightly

In August 2012, industrial gross output declined by 0.8% compared to the same month of 2011.

October 12, 2012

Stepic: “Must Reduce Lending in CESEE”

The CEO of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) Herbert Stepic explains that new lending in Eastern Europe must be reduced substantially.

October 11, 2012

S&P: Eastern Subsidiaries of Austrian Banks Most Become More Independent

The U.S. rating agency criticizes that Austrian banks are still weakly capitalized. The economic crisis caused a massive withdrawal of funds in Eastern Europe, S&P says.

October 11, 2012

Orban Rejects Joining Eurozone

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thinks that the introduction of the euro in Hungary would be “irresponsible”.

October 10, 2012

Small Growth in Hungarian Foreign Trade

From January to August 2012, the Hungarian export value rose by 2%.

October 9, 2012

Hungarians Highly Dissatisfied with Economic Situation

According to a survey of the opinion research institute, 46% of the interviewees view their situation as “bad”.

October 9, 2012

Hungary Not A focus of commercial Real Estate Investors

The risk appetite of real estate investors is still subdued. Hungary’s default risk remains relatively high.

October 9, 2012

Erste Group to Sell Ukrainian Subsidiary

This year, the Austrian bank plans to sell its Ukrainian business segment. Erste Group entered the Ukraine in 2006.

October 8, 2012

Hungarian Retail Sector Struggling on Several Fronts

The recession in Hungary is also affecting the Hungarian retail sector. A weak labour market combined with declining purchasing power is dampening consumer spending, a development which is reflected in weak retail sales.

October 8, 2012

Hungary: Residential Housing Market at a Standstill

According to Bank Austria, the Hungarian housing market has reached a historic low.

October 8, 2012

Hungary: Vacancy Rates in Office Market Remain High

Despite record low in new building activity, the Hungarian office market proves stable.

October 6, 2012

Hungarian Economy Still Shows Weakness

The country´s economic growth remains low, public debt leaves no leeway for fiscal policies. A high level of foreign debt remains a significant weakness of the Hungarian economy.

October 6, 2012

New Austerity Package in Hungary

In order to cut the budget defict below 3.0% of GDP in 2013, the Hungarian government plans further cuts and tax increases.

October 5, 2012

CEE Countries Must Work Upon Economic Convergence

CEE countries are struggling with weaker external demand and uncertain consumers, whereas in most cases fiscal policy is under control. Labour productivity, costs and competitiveness of CEE region give reason for optimism.

October 5, 2012

Hungary Must Lower Budget Deficit

The Hungarian National Bank puts pressure on the government to lower the budget deficit. By contrast, the government has widened the budget target to 2.8% instead.

October 4, 2012

Nine Prime Minister Discuss EU Budget in Bratislava

The Prime Ministers of nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe will meet in the Slovak capital on October 5.

October 3, 2012

Hungarian Budget Deficit Growing Quickly

According to preliminary data the deficit of the general government sector in the first half of 2012 was HUF 393 billion, 2.8% of GDP. Although the deficit is smaller than last year, the 2012 target will not be met.

October 2, 2012

Hungarian Unemployment Quota Down

In June–August 2012, the number of unemployed people was 456 thousand resulting in an unemployment rate of 10.4%.

October 1, 2012

RBI: Poland Shows Stability

In Poland, Raiffeisen Bank International´s NPL ratio comes at 8%. By contrast, Ukraine and Poland are much more problematic.

October 1, 2012

Raiffeisen: CEE Network to be Closed

Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) announces that the expansion in Central and Eastern Europe will be concluded soon.

October 1, 2012

Hungary: Budget Targets Endangered to Fail

In August, Hungary´s budget deficit has almost reached the full year´s level. Analysts doubt whether Hungary may achieve a 2.5% budget deficit this year.

October 1, 2012

Hungary Prohibits Slot Machines

According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the national security would be endangered.

October 1, 2012

CEE Equity: RBI Cautiously Optimistic

RBI forecasts a slight increase in yields for Poland, Hungary, Russia and the Czech Republic. Austrian ATX should grow moderately in the next 12 months.

September 28, 2012

CEE Remains Europe’s Growth engine Despite Slow-Down

CEE with 2012 GDP growth of 2.4 per cent – GDP in Eurozone to shrink to minus 0.5 per cent in 2012 . In terms of reforms, CEE tops Eurozone peripherals

September 28, 2012

Czech National Bank Expects More Interest Rate Cuts

The governor of the Czech National Bank Miroslav Singer explained that the monetary easing program will continue.

September 27, 2012

Hungary: Simor Criticizes Interest Cut

The governor of Hungary´s National Bank Andras Simor warns of an increase in inflation.

September 26, 2012

Hungary „Still Obtains Funding from the Financial Market“

Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Hungarian ambassador in Vienna, emphasized that Hungary is not dependent on the IMF loan. The IMF urges Hungary to reduce its bureaucracy, he says.

September 26, 2012

MOL Announces Massive Investments in Hungary

The Hungarian oil group plans to make investments of € 1.1bn in the next three years.

September 25, 2012

Public Debt: New EU Members Are More Flexible

Compared to old EU member states, the new member states have more fiscal leeway to overcome the crisis.

September 24, 2012

Slight Decrease in Industrial Production in Hungary

In July, the industrial production was down by 0.3% compared to July 2011. In Austria, industrial production was up by 2.0%.

September 24, 2012

EU: Germany Biggest Net Payer, Poland Biggest Net Recipient

In 2011, Poland received EU-aids of € 11bn. Among the new EU members, Hungary ranks second. In terms of GDP, Hungary is the biggest beneficiary.

September 21, 2012

Hungary Revises GDP Forecasts

Initially, the Hungarian government forecasted a GDP growth rate of 0.1% this year. Now, State Secretary Gyula Pleschinger explained that Hungary´s economy will shrink this year.

September 20, 2012

Hungary: Real Income Falls Further

In the first seven months of 2012, the Hungarian real income was down by 4%.

September 19, 2012