Hungary in Austria | Hungarians in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

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

Turnaround of RCA Is „Very Close“

The restructuring process of the Rail Cargo Hungaria, a subsidiary of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is going on. The rail cargo segment reports better results than expected.

September 19, 2011

No Common Trend for CEE-Countries

Regarding economic growth, prospects for CEE countries have worsened slightly. However, the region remains heterogeneous.

September 13, 2011

CEE-Region Remains Essential for Austrian Insurance Companies

According to a current market survey of Fitch, the CEE region plays a central role for domestic insurance companies. There is still growth potential.

September 12, 2011

Austria Considers Lawsuit Against Hungary

The Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) threatens Hungary to file a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice. Hungary plans to stress banks massively.

September 12, 2011

CEE Economic Forum: Green Trends for Eastern Europe

In 2011, Forum Velden in Carinthia celebrates its 5th anniversary. Since its foundation in 2006, over 1.500 experts, top-managers and politicians from over 25 countries have participated in the Forum.

September 7, 2011

Slow Growth for CEE Telecom Sector Expected

Austrian Erste Group: “Seasonality and mobile data growth as key driver in H2 2011. The industry continues to struggle from slow consumer and public spending – Stabilisation to be expected in 2012.”

September 7, 2011

Hungary Bourse President Resigns

Hungary's Budapest Stock Exchange President Mihaly Patai submitted his resignation Monday, state news agency MTI reported. This step is mainly due to disputes with the majority owner, the Austrian Vienna Stock Exchange.

September 6, 2011

Raiffeisen Centrobank Reports Increase in Profit

Net interest income declined, while trading profit and net fee and commission income increased substantially. Turbulences on financial markets might burden the bank’s business development.

September 2, 2011

ÖBB: “Cargo Business on the Right Track“

The Austrian Federal Railways’ CEO is satisfied with the development of the group’s cargo unit. RCA achieved a positive operating result in the first half of the year.

August 26, 2011

Significant Drop in Revenue for SW Umwelttechnik

The Austrian technology company recorded mixed results in a challenging market environment. Revenue dropped 7%, EBIT improved but remained negative at € -1.7m.

August 24, 2011

Green Light for Strabag’s Cooperation with Lafarge

The Austrian construction company has wrapped up the acquisition of a 30% stake in the joint venture with the French building material supplier.

August 5, 2011

Erste Group Increased Net Profit from January to June

The Austrian bank’s results were burdened by bank taxes in Austria and Hungary. Net profit was up 5.2%, based on a solid operating result and lower risk costs.

July 29, 2011

OTP Bank Shows Interest in Volksbank International

The Austrian Volksbanken AG found a second potential buyer for its Eastern European subsidiary. The Hungarian OTP bank wants to expand into the markets where VBI has a presence.

July 7, 2011

S Immo Increases the Occupancy Rate of its Hungarian Portfolio

The Austrian real estate company’s Hungarian subsidiary leased out nearly 4,000 m² in the heart of Budapest. The vacancy rate was reduced to below 9%.

July 7, 2011

Hungary Considering Buyback of ÖBB’s Rail Cargo Hungaria

The Hungarian state is interested in acquiring a stake in the Austrian Federal Railways’ cargo subsidiary which it privatized in 2008.

June 14, 2011

AUA Give Up Their Focus on CEE

Austrian Airlines are going to improve their connections to Western Europe at the expense of their destinations in the East. The company is currently serving 46 airports in CEE.

May 30, 2011

Purchasing Power Parities 2011 from the Austrian Perspective

US travelling is cheap due to the strong euro. Austrians have high purchasing power advantages of around 50% in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

May 27, 2011

ÖBB: No Sale of Loss-Making Rail Cargo Hungaria

The Austrian Federal Railways want to become market leader in rail cargo in Central and Southeastern Europe. € 30m will be invested in Hungary.

May 27, 2011

SW Umwelttechnik Still in the Red

The Austrian technology company reported a slight increase in revenue. EBIT improved from € -2.9m to € -2.5m.

May 25, 2011

Eastern Europe Becoming Attractive Again

For two years Austrians have abstained from investing in Eastern Europe, resulting in a loss of market share in these countries. Interest starts to recover now.

May 25, 2011

Austrian FDI: 2010 Was a Year of Stabilization

Active foreign direct investment increased, while inward flows stagnated in 2010. Turkey was the top destination for Austrian investors.

May 18, 2011

Sales Increase for Ottakringer Group

The beverage was able to increase its sales by 32% in the first quarter, compared with the same period of the previous year.

May 13, 2011

Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group on Growth Course

With the four-part investment strategy in Central and Southeastern Europe, the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group AG (FMTG) is on the path to success.

May 12, 2011

Radovan Jelasity appointed CEO of Erste Bank Hungary

Radovan Jelasity (43) will join Erste Bank Hungary as of 1 June 2011. Subsequent to the approval of the respective Hungarian authorities, he will be appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

May 10, 2011

Erste Group: Slight Increase in Profits Expected

UniCredit and RCB expect a slight rise in profits for Erste Group, despite bank taxes in Austria and Hungary.

April 27, 2011

Real Purchasing Power: The Gap Between Austria and the CEE Region is Getting Smaller

For the coming years, a steady rise in unit labor costs in the CEE countries with the corresponding impact on the competition for business locations is expected.

April 16, 2011

No Rush Expected on the Labor Market after the End of the Transitional Periods

After 30 April 2011, an additional access to the Austrian labor market of about 11,500-16,500 people annually from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia is expected.

April 12, 2011

Red Bull Mobile now also in Belgium

The Austrian beverage company strives to develop a new business area within the telecom sector. After Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and South Africa, Belgium is to be established as its fifth market.

April 7, 2011

Economic Growth in CEE and Austria Remains Solid

Concerning the equity markets as well as the economic circumstances, Raiffeisen Research is quite optimistic. In 2011, a further economic recovery is expected.

April 6, 2011

Foreign Capital Inflows Make a Comeback to CEE

Foreign direct investments picked up by 9% in CEE; Czech Republic scored best in attracting FDIs, says Erste Group.

March 30, 2011

Concerns about "Eurovegas"

The Austrian-American project for the construction of Europe's largest casino meets increasing opposition.

March 16, 2011

ÖBB: Cargo Division as Loss-Maker

The continuing crisis of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is due in large extent to the losses in freight traffic of Rail Cargo Austria (RCA).

March 8, 2011

Hardly any Effects Expected by Labor Market Opening

As of May 1, 2011, the citizens of the countries which joined the EU in 2004 will be able to work in Austria without any restrictions. The effects should be kept within certain limits.

March 4, 2011

Sales Declining at Spar Hungary

The food trade chain records declining sales in Hungary - for the first time in its history.

March 4, 2011

Henkel CEE grows in Eastern Europe

The German company, which has set up its Eastern European headquarters in Vienna, achieved a sales increase of 6%.

February 26, 2011

Spar: Moderate Growth in Market Share

The Austrian food trade group recorded a sales increase of 4.4% in the previous year. Growth in the CEE region turns out weaker.

February 18, 2011

Strong Growth for bauMax

The do-it-yourself group increased its sales in Austria and Eastern Europe in 2010.

February 18, 2011

Erste Bank Hungary CEO to resign

Edit Papp, the CEO of Erste Bank Hungary, has decided to pursue other professional opportunities and therefore announced her resignation.

February 16, 2011

Difficulties in ÖBB Restructuring

The Austrian Federal Railways cannot get out of their debt crises. Restructuring of the freight division requires additional funding

February 15, 2011

Upward Trend for CEE Insurance Stocks

CEE insurance stocks to get a boost from rising profits, cheap valuation and stronger investor demand.

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

Eastern Europe Slows Siemens Austria Down

The pre-crisis level has not been reached yet, says CEO Hesoun. Public savings programs prevent the technology company's growth.

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

150 New Bank Austria Branches in Eastern Europe

The new board of the CEE Division of Bank Austria presented the group's expansion plans for Eastern Europe. By 2015, 900 branches are to be added.

February 9, 2011

RLB Burgenland’s Profits Increase

Burgenland's regional bank recorded an operating profit of € 49m for 2010, which represents a slight improvement compared with 2009.

February 4, 2011

Investments in Renewable Energies in the CEE are booming

According to a study by TPA Horwath, Austrian companies will expand massively their involvement in the field of renewable energies in the CEE region.

February 4, 2011

Hungary: Calls for Boycotts against Foreign Companies in Hungary

A Hungarian initiative demands that 13 foreign companies be boycotted, including Austrian OMV

January 18, 2011

New Charges against Ruttenstorfer

The chairman of Austria's OMV is accused of market manipulation because of an interview.

January 14, 2011

CEE Economic Growth Forecast: 3.8% in 2011

According to UniCredit, especially Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic and Estonia will bounce back impressively due to stronger industry and domestic demand.

January 13, 2011

CEE: Raiffeisen Remains Optimistic

The analysts of the Austrian Raiffeisen International Bank give Austria and the CEE good growth prospects. However, there still remain known risks.

January 12, 2011