Serbia in Austria | Serbs in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

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

Agrana Aims for Expansion into Balkan Region

The Austrian sugar and starch company Agrana is looking for acquisition targets in the Western Balkans.

April 23, 2012

RHI Pursues Growth Strategy in India

The Austrian RHI AG, the world’s biggest maker of fireproofing ceramics, is pursuing a takeover in India and may start a joint venture in Russia to expand its global reach.

April 21, 2012

EVN Expands into Serbia

EVN subsidiary WTE Wassertechnik GmbH wins the contract for construction of a drinking water treatment plant in Zrenjanin, Serbia.

April 19, 2012

OMV´s Petrol Stations: Potential Buyers in Sight

The Austrian oil and gas company OMV plans to sell its petrol stations in Croatia and Bosnia. Local investors show interest.

April 17, 2012

Strabag to Expand in Danube Region

In order to develop the Danube region of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine, the Austrian construction group expands its hydraulic engineering business.

April 12, 2012

Waldner: “Serbia Needs to Continue its Approach to the EU Unwaveringly”

Wolfgang Waldner, Austrian State Secretary is on a working visit in Belgrade.

April 12, 2012

Alpine to Rebuild Railway in Macedonia

The € 7m contract to be fully financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

April 11, 2012

Lutz Continues Expansion Program

The world´s second largest furniture house intends to grow in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

April 7, 2012

Steiermärkische Interested in Hypo Group´s Subdidiary

The head of Austrian regional bank Steiermärkische Sparkasse said he was interested in buying some Balkan assets from nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria, a newspaper reported.

April 3, 2012

Macedonia: Austria Still the Biggest Investor

Foreign direct investments of € 303m entered Macedonia last year, said the National Bank of Macedonia. The biggest investor in Macedonia is still Austria with € 77.21m.

March 28, 2012

EVN Raises Investments in Croatia

The Austrian energy company expects the beginning of a market consolidation in Croatia. Investments are rising.

March 21, 2012

Serbia: Promising Market for Austrian Construction Industry

The Western Balkan state Serbia invests massively in the modernization of its infrastructure. This year, the civil engineering sector will grow by 20%.

March 19, 2012

Croatian Banks: Rise in NPL Ends

Croatian banks do not expect any further hike in the level of bad loans, which surpassed 12 percent at the end of 2011, the national banking association HUB said.

March 19, 2012

RHI Has Growth Plans

The Austrian producer of fireproof ceramics puts effort into growth. Major investments and acquisitions are planned.

March 7, 2012

Uniqa Aims for Growth in CESEE Region

The Austrian insurance group wants to sell stakes by the minority shareholders of subsidiaries in Eastern Europe. The capital increase is scheduled for 2013.

March 5, 2012

RHI Eyes Serbia’s Magnohrom

RHI, the Austrian maker of fire- proofing ceramics, is interested in Magnohrom, Serbia’s sole basic refractory product manufacturer, Privatization Agency chief Vladislav Cvetkovic said.

March 3, 2012

Austrian Economy Appreciates Serbian Approach to EU

Serbia officially became candidate for the EU-access. Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the “European perspective” for Serbia.

March 2, 2012

Saubermacher Leaves Croatia

The Austrian waste treatment acquired a stake in the largest Croatian waste management company. Now, the stake is sold again.

February 29, 2012

Merger of Nabucco-TANAP Discussed

Members of the gas pipeline projects Nabucco and TANAP talk about a merger in Vienna. The Turkish Minister of Energy participates therein.

February 28, 2012

CSC Establishes its CEE Headquarters in Vienna

The U.S. IT service supplier CSC upgrades the Viennese subsidiary as regional headquarters for ten countries.

February 22, 2012

Sberbank Upgrades VBI´s Headquarter in Vienna

After the acquisition of the Austrian VBI, the Russian bank wants to expand massively in Europe.

February 20, 2012

CEO of PlusCity Increases Engagement in Croatian Westgate

Ernst Kirchmayr, CEO of the Upper-Austrian shopping center has raised his stake in the Zagreb-based shopping center “Westgate”.

February 8, 2012

Montana Tech Components Acquires Croatian Aluminum Companies

The Austrian financial investor MTC takes over the two largest aluminum companies in Croatia. Turnover of the acquisition targets amount to € 240m.

February 6, 2012

Enso Hydro Looking for Hydro Power Plants in SEE

The Austrian hydro power specialist aims for collecting € 70m of Deutsche Bank´s subsidiary DWS. Currently, enso hydro searches for new hydro power projects.

February 1, 2012

Hypo Group to Cut Jobs

The Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria continues its downsizing program. 800 employees will be laid-off.

February 1, 2012

New Tax Burden for Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria has to pay tax on mobile network services in Croatia.

January 30, 2012

3E Group Grows in Eastern Europe

The Austrian building material company´s revenues were up by 3.2% in 2011. Total sales reached € 546m.

January 30, 2012

Hypo Group´s Result „Close to Zero“

CEO Gottwald Kranebitter announced that Hypo Group Alpe Adria could reduce its losses significantly in 2011.

January 30, 2012

Good Export Chances in SEE Region

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce regards South-Eastern Europe as growth region. Importance for the Austrian export industry is seen to increase.

January 28, 2012

Lutz Enters Croatia

The Austrian furniture store group opens its largest center in the SEE region. Market leader Ikea follows in autumn 2012.

January 26, 2012

Leitl: „Croatians are Most Welcome“

The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to Croatia´s EU accession in 2013.

January 23, 2012

Austrian Banks Hold € 18bn in Foreign Sovereign Bonds

At the end of October 2011, the exposure of Austrian banks in foreign sovereign bonds was € 18.1bn. The largest volumes are invested in Poland and Italy.

January 19, 2012

OMV to Sell Petrol Stations in Croatia and Bosnia

The Russian oil company Zarubezhneft is interested in OMV´s Bosnian and Croatian petrol stations.

January 18, 2012

Erste Group Provides Major Loan to Telekom Serbia

The Austrian bank commits € 140m to Telekom Serbia as part of a recent syndicated loan taken by the company. Erste Group acted as joint mandated lead arranger, underwriter and bookrunner.

January 18, 2012

Porr: Capital Increase Flows Smoothly

According to Porr´s CEO Karl Heinz Strauss, the Austrian construction group raises ist capital within the next 60 days. Operating business is performing well, Strauss says.

January 16, 2012

Telekom Austria Faces New Taxes in Croatia

Croatia re-introduces extraordinary taxes for telecommunication operators. The local government is criticized by Telekom Austria and the EU.

January 13, 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

Wettpunkt Invests in Croatia

The Austrian betting company expands its operations in Croatia. Investments of € 10m were announced.

January 4, 2012

Styrian Mining Company Causes Problems for Austrian Banks

The Austrian mining company Decometal has debts reaching € 250m. Now, the company will be restructured. Loans must be extended.

December 28, 2011

Serbia Tries Privatization Again

After the privatization of Telekom Srbija has failed in spring 2011, the Serbian government tries again. Telekom Austria could still show interest.

December 19, 2011

Uniqa Grows Quickly in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The insurance company’s premium volume increased by 14% in the first three quarters of the year.

December 16, 2011

Airport Zagreb: Strabag Not Awarded

Two offers for were submitted for the enlargement of Zagreb Airport. Strabag´s offer has been rejected.

December 13, 2011

Austrian Investor Interested in Croatian Aluminum Company

The Austrian financial investor Michael Tojner is a potential buyer of the Croatian aluminum manufacturer TLM-TVP, which is owned by Hypo Group.

December 10, 2011

Austria´s Industry Supports Croatia´s EU Accession

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce sees a huge interest of the domestic economy in Croatia´s EU accession. In 2010, Austria was the largest investor.

December 10, 2011

Sale of Croatian OMV Petrol Stations Begins

OMV´s current market share in Croatia is 13%. Almost every major oil company in Europe shows interest.

December 9, 2011

OMV Sells Croatian and Bosnian Subsidiaries

In line with the strategy of the Austrian oil and gas company, the sale of the retail and commercial business in Croatia (OMV Hrvatska d.o.o) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (OMV BH d.o.o) is under consideration.

December 6, 2011

Strabag Wins New Orders for Environmental Technology Division

The Austrian construction group secured new business worldwide. The total volume is € 110m.

November 29, 2011

Uniqa Group Strengthens Market Position in SEE Region

The Austrian insurance company expands its market leadership in Albania and is ranked on number two in Kosovo.

November 21, 2011

Conference on European Economic Integration

“European Integration in a Global Economic Setting – CESEE, China and Russia“. Conference jointly organized by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank and Suomen Pankki – Finlands Bank.

November 18, 2011

VIG Raises Equity Base in Croatia

The local authority claimed for a capital increase for the Croatian subsidiary of Vienna Insurance Group. Now, € 15m were transferred.

November 16, 2011