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Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.
Austrian Labor Market is Stable
The Minister of Social Affairs, Rudolf Hundstorfer, strikes a balance of the labor market in 2011 and refers to the lowest unemployment rate in the EU.
January 15, 2012
Downgrade: „It´s Time to Take Action“
The downgrade of Austria´s rating from “AAA” to “AA+” caused mixed reactions. The Austrian economy urges for structural actions.
January 15, 2012
New Management for Microsoft Austria
With Georg Obermeier, the Austrian subsidiary of the U.S. software group has a new executive.
January 14, 2012
Treichl Does Not Expect Hungarian National Insolvency
In spite of a large exposure in Hungary, Andreas Treichl, Erste Group´s CEO is optimistic. By 2014, Erste Group Hungary should be profitable again.
January 14, 2012
Downgrade: Government Surprised and Criticized
For the Austrian government, the downgrade by the U.S. rating agency is „not comprehensible”. The domestic industry urgently claims structural reforms.
January 14, 2012
Unions Protest Against AUA´s Plans
Austrian trade unions are strictly against new austerity measures at Austrian Airlines. Management wants to negotiate over new collective agreements.
January 12, 2012
„Vienna Is One of the Most Undervalued Stock Exchange in the World“
According to the investment funds manager Alois Wögerbauer, Vienna has a huge upside potential.
January 12, 2012
Pressure on Hungary Increases
The chairman of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, sees no danger for Austrian banks from Hungary. EU and IMF criticize the Hungarian government.
January 11, 2012
Zotter Sounds Chinese Market
The Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter wants to offer his products to Chinese customers. A market entry is considered.
January 11, 2012
VIG Has „No Problems in Hungary“
“We are an insurance group and not a bank.”, said the management of Vienna Insurance Group. Nevertheless, the developments are observed thoroughly.
January 11, 2012
Supervisory Board of Telekom Austria Calls For Dividend Suspension
The supervisory board member Alexander Sollak claims that not dividends should be paid out for 2011. Instead, the equity base should be strengthened.
January 9, 2012
ÖVP Does Not Exclude New Taxes Anymore
Against previous statements, the head of the Austrian conservatives, Michael Spindelegger, considers to introduce new taxes.
January 9, 2012
„Not Talking Down Austerity Policy“
Bernhard Felderer, head of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS), warns daily issued ideas for new taxes. First signs of a recovery are arising.
January 7, 2012
Austria Grants Highest Subsidies in Europe
In 2010, subsidies amounting to 6.5% of the Austrian GDP were distributed. The EU-average is only the half.
January 7, 2012
„We Are at the Tipping Point“
2012 will be a crucial year for Europe and Austria, says the director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The coming decade will be coined by debt reduction.
January 5, 2012
Austrian Economy Pushes for Austerity
In order to prevent new taxes, the Austrian Chamber of Commmerce and the Federation of Industries call for austerity measures.
January 5, 2012
Austerity Package: Business Association Warns of New Taxes
New taxes would be an “attack against the economy”, general secretary Peter Haubner says.
January 4, 2012
Sorger Asks For Investments in Education and R&D
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, calls for future investments.
January 3, 2012
Substantial Decrease in Stock Market Turnover
The Vienna Stock Exchange recorded a decline in stock market turnover by 18% in 2011. This is also due to new taxes.
January 2, 2012
Austrian Enterprises Fear Nationalization in Hungary
Nationalization plans induce fierce criticism against the Hungarian Government. The Austrian waste management industry would be hit hard.
January 2, 2012
New Chairman for Intercell’s Supervisory Board
Thomas Szucs succeeds Michael Gréco who remains on the Supervisory Board of the Austrian pharmaceutical company.
December 30, 2011
RBI Rules Out Sale of Eastern European Subsidiaries
CEO Herbert Stepic expects a very difficult year 2012 for the entire banking industry.
December 29, 2011
Industry Wants to Suspend Banking Tax
The new capital requirements for banks are criticized by the Federation of Austrian Industries and the research institute WIFO.
December 29, 2011
Critics for FMA and Central Bank
Michael Ikrath, general secretary from Austrian Sparkassen, criticizes the Financial Market Authority and the Central Bank for equity requirements imposed on domestic banks.
December 28, 2011
Bank Austria Expects Positive Results
In spite of high losses in the third quarter, the subsidiary of the Italian UniCredit forecasts slight, but positive results.
December 28, 2011
Emco With Growth Plans
The new owner of the former A-Tec subsidiary, now can begin to realize its expansion plans.
December 27, 2011
Erste Group: Capital Shortfall to be Covered by Profits
The new equity requirements will be fulfilled, Erste Group´s CEO Treichl says. The capital shortfall amounts to € 743m.
December 27, 2011
Growth Potential for Semperit
The Austrian synthetic product manufacturer already recognizes the weakening of the business cycle. However, investments will not be reduced. The BRIC countries are seen as future markets.
December 27, 2011
Austrian Government Wants to Save € 10bn
The coalition partners agreed to cut expenses by € 2.0bn per year until 2016. Details were not published.
December 27, 2011
Brain Force Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Hannes Griesser succeeds Thomas Melzer as CFO of the Austrian software company as of 1 January.
December 23, 2011
Comeback of Al Jaber at Kneissl?
The creditors of the Austrian ski manufacturer will vote on a new restructuring plan after the takeover by a German group has failed.
December 22, 2011
Changes to the Executive Board of Hirsch Servo
Dr. Johannes Kappel will join the new two-member board of the Austrian machine manufacturer and packaging supplier.
December 22, 2011
SPÖ Wants to Defend State’s Stake in Telekom Austria
According to State Secretary Andreas Schieder, the ÖIAG should defend its shareholding of 28%.
December 22, 2011
Pecik Extends Stake in Telekom Austria
The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is told to become the largest shareholder in Telekom Austria. Up to 29% are possible.
December 20, 2011
Benko Relieved from Money Laundering Accusations
Investigations against the Austrian real estate investor will end soon, German newspapers report. Benko bids for Metro´s subsidiary Kaufhof.
December 20, 2011
Felderer Expects Structural Changes
The head of the public debt committee, Bernhard Felderer says that new taxes are inevitable.
December 20, 2011
Hypo Group to Sell Interests in SEE Earlier
Due to the equity regulations, the Austrian bank prefers to sell its business in South Eastern Europe instead of the Italian and Austrian subsidiary.
December 19, 2011
Many Applicants in Emco Sale
The Austrian mechanical engineering company, which is a subsidiary of the insolvent A-Tec group, is highly sought-after. The sale price is estimated to reach € 30m.
December 19, 2011
Fekter Pushes for Further Austerity Measures
The Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter (ÖVP), announced that the planned austerity measures will not be sufficient. The coalition partner SPÖ is upset.
December 19, 2011
OeNB: Developments in the Sovereign Debt Crisis Will Be Crucial for Financial Stability
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) presented the 22nd Financial Stability Report.
December 16, 2011
Voestalpine Streamlines Group Structure
The Austrian steel company merges its Automotive and Profilform divisions. Herbert Eibensteiner takes over as head of the new division.
December 15, 2011
Changes to the Management Board of Erste Group
The Supervisory Board of the Austrian bank took several personnel decisions that concern the holding company as well as the subsidiaries in Hungary and Romania.
December 15, 2011
S&T Aims to Achieve Turnaround in 2012
The Austrian information technology service provider wants to return to the profit zone. In 2012, turnover should reach € 220m at least.
December 14, 2011
Pecik to Enlarge Activities in Telekom
The new core shareholder of Telekom Austria, Ronny Pecik, plans to acquire further shares. He will enter the supervisory board.
December 14, 2011
AUA Sharpens Austerity Measures
The Viennese business location Austrian Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, has to become cheaper, says Lufthansa´s CEO Franz.
December 14, 2011
Marihart Becomes President of Primary Food Industry
Johann Marihart, CEO of the Austrian sugar and starch group Agrana, takes charge of PFP, the association of the primary food processing industry in 2012.
December 14, 2011
Kaufhof: Investigations Cause Delay in Sale Process
Suspicions of money laundering against the Austrian real estate investor René Benko prevent the take-over for the time being.
December 13, 2011
Debt Brake: Government Tries Again
In order to install the „debt brake“ into the constitution, the Austrian government tries again to persuade the opposition parties.
December 12, 2011
€ 230m Capital Increase at Hypo Tirol
The province of Tyrol, the owner of Hypo Tirol, decided to strengthen the bank´s capital base. From where the funds will be provided, is not clear yet.
December 12, 2011
Treichl: „9% Quota Is Adequate“
The CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, is optimistic to achieve the prescribed 9% tier 1 capital quota by mid-2012.
December 10, 2011