Austrian Investment News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about developments in the investment environment in Vienna and Austria
CESEE: Dependence on Foreign Demand Remains Main Obstacle
In 2014, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) faces a slight upward trend. The structural difficulties persist, however.
December 21, 2013
Czech Republic: Economic Sentiment Rises
As published by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), the Czech economic sentiment indicator rose by one point to 5.5 points compared to November.
December 20, 2013
CESEE: Potential to Return to Pre-Crisis Growth
According to a report published by the business adviser McKinsey, countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are fundamentally strong.
December 18, 2013
CESEE: More Robust than in 2008
The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to reduce its easing policy gradually. For emerging markets, the end of the loose monetary policy may prove challenging.
December 17, 2013
Czech Republic: Lowest Increase in Public Debts in 17 Years
According to the government’s Funding and Debt Management Strategy, public debt should exceed CZK 2,000bn by the end of 2016.
December 17, 2013
Bulgaria: S&P Downgrade Criticized Sharply
Bulgarian Minister of Economy Dragomir Stynev does not agree with S&P´s view on Bulgaria´s creditworthiness.
December 16, 2013
Emerging Markets Face Decrease in Risk Appetite
Foreign investors become more and more cautious about investing in emerging markets. Regions like Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are highly dependent on foreign sentiments.
December 14, 2013
Croatia: Major Investments to Boost Economic Growth
The Croatian government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.
December 13, 2013
Bulgaria: Prime Minister Stresses Positive Development
Plamen Oresharski stressed that Bulgaria has performed better than expected in 2013.
December 10, 2013
Czech Republic: Industrial Output Slowed Down
In October, the industrial performance in the Czech Republic only grew by 3.5 percent on a year-on-year comparison basis.
December 9, 2013
Austria: Nowotny Warns of Choking off Economic Growth
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has slightly decreased this year’s economic growth from 0.5 percent to 0.4 percent. However, the recession of the past two years is over, the bank claims.
December 6, 2013
Moody's: ECB Rate Cut Does Little for Economic Growth
ECB rate cut to a record low 0.25% will likely do little to support economic growth, according to Moody's Analytics.
December 5, 2013
Leitl: Growth Stimulating Measures for Budget Consolidation
Leitl calls for growth stimulating measures which are the basis for the consolidation of the Austrian budget.
November 28, 2013
EU Needs Investments for Growth
Europe will not see any substantial growth without serious investment in research and innovation.
November 28, 2013
EBRD: Eastern Europe “Stuck in Transition“
The European Bank for Restructuring and Development (EBRD) warned that Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Sovjet Union could remain “stuck in transition”, which is the titel of the current report.
November 21, 2013
Austria: Slight Economic Growth
The Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo) has forecast an increase of the macroeconomic production by 0.2 percent in real terms compared to the previous quarter.
November 14, 2013
Czech Republic: CNB Concerned about Private Households
In regard to the most recent forex intervention, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has expressed concern about private households, which would be affected for a longer period since savings as well as income will drop.
November 13, 2013
Albania: Domestic Banks Struggling to Keep Up
According to a report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Albanian financial sector is dominated by foreign banks. Domestic banks are struggling to keep up with the internationally operating competition.
November 8, 2013
Eurozone: Key Rate At Record Low
Low inflation was reason for ECB to lower key rate again by 0.25 percent.
November 7, 2013
ECB to Keep Interest Rate Low
Despite a low inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) will keep the interest rate low. The Council of ECB has held a meeting on Thursday morning
November 7, 2013
Serbia: Only Minor Growth Expected
In 2014 the Western Balkan state is expected to achieve only an insignificant economic growth rate.
November 6, 2013
CESEE Region: Booming Exports Prevent Recession
The underlying reason for the improving economic sentiment in the CESEE region is the expanding industrial sector. However, the region remains vulnerable to foreign trade and foreign investments.
November 5, 2013
Czech Republic Crawls Out of the Recession
The recession in the Czech Republic comes to an end. Fixed investments are still the main weak point.
November 4, 2013
Poland: Economy Below Potential
In the first half of 2013, investments dropped significantly. Consumption was up moderately. In total, Poland´s economic growth accelerates gradually.
October 22, 2013
CFO Barometer: Upturn in Revenues
The majority of financial managers in the country are still restrained with investments. However, the majority estimates increasing turnovers at enterprises, according to the CFO barometer.
October 21, 2013
Poland: IMF Upgrades Growth Forecasts
According to the IMF, Poland´s GDP growth will reach 2.4%. In the prior forecast, the IMF anticipated a 2.2% growth rate.
October 21, 2013
“Problems in the CESEE Region Are Mainly Fundamental”
In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, Reza Moghadam, director of the IMF´s European Department, says that the weakness of the CESEE region is not only cyclical.
October 18, 2013
IMF Warns of Financial Instability in CESEE
Due to the high non-performing loan quota and the deleveraging of Western banks, the countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are still far from financial stability.
October 18, 2013
EU Commission: Poland Lacks in Innovation and Work Efficiency
According to the EU Commission’s annual report on the competitiveness among the EU member countries, which was released on Wednesday, Poland has been improving its competitiveness.
September 26, 2013
Slovenia: Economic Outlook Deteriorates
Slovenia has slipped back into recession as its real GDP declined by 2.3 % in 2012.
September 26, 2013
Croatia: Fiscal Situation Deteriorates Further
Due to the weak economy, the budget gap will increase. The end of the recession is still uncertain.
September 26, 2013
Croatia to Issue Dollar Bonds
In order to cover its foreign exchange needs, Croatia will issue a dollar bond with a size of $ 2.7bn.
September 24, 2013
NBP: First Signs of Recovery
According to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) there are first signs of recovery in the corporate sector.
September 20, 2013
Poland: Minor Slowdown in Industrial Production
On a year-on-year comparison basis, industrial output increased 2.2 percent in August while it declined 4.5 percent compared to July this year.
September 19, 2013
Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”
President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.
September 17, 2013
World Economic Forum: Competitiveness of Western Balkans
Former Yugoslav countries and their competitiveness according to the World Economic Forum annual report.
September 6, 2013
Croatia: „Insufficient Move Towards the Positive Direction“
Croatia hopes its economy is moving in the "positive direction".
September 2, 2013
Austria: Leitl Reiterates Criticizm
State Secretary Schieder considers Leitl’s statements “totally out of place”.
August 23, 2013
Romanians Not Satisfied with Wages
More than half of Romanian employees claim not to be paid enough for their work.
August 22, 2013
Leitl: “Austria Screwed Up”
If the US, as the perpetrator of the financial and economic crisis, shows two percent in economic growth, while Austria only 0.2 percent, then this was a “disgrace”, Leitl announced during the economic forum in Alpbach.
August 21, 2013
Poland´s Economic Growth Accelerates
In the second quarter of 2013, the annual growth rate came at 0.8%. Due to combined monetary and fiscal measures, the outlook is positive.
August 17, 2013
Romania: GDP Slowed Down in Second Quarter 2013
Romania: GDP slowed down in Q2, as expected by RBI.
August 16, 2013
Fitch: European Investors See Withdrawal of Bank Stimulus
More European investors now see the withdrawal of central bank stimulus as a bigger risk to European credit markets than eurozone sovereign debt problems.
August 9, 2013
Erste Paid Back € 1.22 to Austrian State
On Thursday, Erste Group announced that the participation capital in the amount of € 1.76 was paid back completely.
August 8, 2013
Eurozone: Business Investments Decreased to 18.8 Percent
Business investment rate down to 18.8% in the euro area and to 18.3% in the EU27 Business profit share at 37.7% and at 37.2% respectively
July 31, 2013
Czech Republic: US Export-Import Bank Offers Loan for Temelin
The official export credit agency of the United States offers a loan under the condition that Westinghouse wins the tender.
July 30, 2013
Romania: Privatization as a Potential Driver for Economy
Romania has to privatize more state-owned enterprises to become one of fastest emerging economies in the European Union.
July 29, 2013
Czech Republic to Remain in Recession
The Czech economy will, according to the Finance Ministry in Prague, shrink by 1.5 percent and only start growing again in 2014 by 0.8 percent.
July 26, 2013
Czech Republic: CEZ to Postpone Completion of Temelin
Czech energy company CEZ announced that the decision for the finalization of nuclear power plant Temelin will take at least a year longer than planned.
July 25, 2013
Poland: Dispute Between NBP and Finance Ministry
Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski and Governor of Polish National Bank Marek Belka are blaming each other for the poor performance of Poland´s economy.
July 23, 2013
