Slovakia in Austria | Slovaks in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

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

Penta Bids for A-Tec Again

The Czech-Slovak group is still interested in an acquisition of the insolvent Austrian conglomerate and has now submitted a new offer.

October 7, 2011

New Board Member for Slovak Subsidiary of VIG

Erik Nikmon was appointed to the Managing Board of Kooperativa. He will take up his position on 1 November.

October 6, 2011

Upward Trend in CEE Real Estate Market

Erste Group: “CEE Real Estate stocks with upside potential of 15%, profitability lags behind”. The upward trend in CEE is driven by low vacancy, strong occupier demand and low pipeline.

October 3, 2011

A-Tec to be Dissolved

The Austrian technology company, which should have been sold as a whole, could not find a buyer. The remaining assets will now be offered separately.

October 1, 2011

A-Tec Sale: Penta Sues

The Czech-Slovak investment consortium Penta, which made a bid in the A-Tec sale, sues against the award for the competitor Contor Industries.

September 20, 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

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

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

Kovats with New Plans for A-Tec

According to a new proposal, Penta Investments should only take over part of the Austrian conglomerate. CEO Kovats has submitted an own offer with financial support from a Pakistani billionaire.

August 24, 2011

BKS Bank Continues Expansion Course

The Carinthian/Styrian regional bank recorded an increase in profit of 11.7%. Step-by-step expansion in international markets will be continued.

August 19, 2011

Penta Is Extending Offer for A-Tec

The Czech-Slovak investment group has affirmed its interest in a takeover of the Austrian conglomerate and extended the validity of its offer.

July 28, 2011

New Attempt for Oil Pipeline Bratislava – Schwechat

New impetus for the Austro-Slovak infrastructure project: The pipeline would link OMV to the Russian network.

July 20, 2011

RBI’s Direct Bank Zuno Starts Operations in the Czech Republic

Following the launch in Slovakia at the end of 2010, Raiffeisen’s direct bank now takes up business in a second country.

July 19, 2011

Successful Start for RBI’s Direct Bank Zuno in Slovakia

18,000 Slovak customers have deposited a total amount of € 125m in the first six months since the bank entered the market in December 2010.

June 30, 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

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

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

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

Shipping on the Danube is Far Below its Potential

Capacities are only being utilized in modest proportions on Austria’s main waterway. Investments in expansion would be necessary.

April 23, 2011

Erste Group Manages € 1.00bn increase of Slovak sovereign bonds

Total orders at approximately € 1.4bn from almost 80 investors . Approx. 80% have been subscribed internationally, mostly from Czech, Germany, Austrian, Benelux and Asian investors

April 18, 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

Immofinanz Opens Tenth Retail Park in Slovakia

STOP.SHOP., an Immofinanz Group umbrella brand for specialty shopping centres in Central Europe, continued its growth course with today’s opening of the tenth retail park in Slovakia.

April 15, 2011

Cargo-Partner Invests 21.5 Million Euro in Slovakia

The Austrian shipping company cargo-partner sets up a logistics center in Slovakia. The first phase - a 7,300 m² large warehouse of 30,000 square meters - will be finished in early 2012.

April 13, 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

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

Falkensteiner Builds in Serbia and Slovakia

The Austrian developer of tourism projects is expanding in the CEE region. The premium segment in the hotel industry is to be strengthened.

March 31, 2011

Concerns about "Eurovegas"

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

March 16, 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

Increasing Profits for BKS

The Carinthian/Styrian regional bank could increase net earnings after taxes by 14.8%.

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

Erste Group manages € 1.25bn increase of Slovak Bonds

Strong interest for the Slovak sovereign bonds offering: total orders amounted to € 1.9bn from over 100 investors.

February 19, 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

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

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

Vienna Insurance Group Shows 15% Increase in Profits

Significant plus of Group profit for the year (before taxes) by almost 15 percent to about € 505m. Increase of premiums written by 6.1 percent to € 8.7bn.

January 25, 2011

New CFO for Vienna Insurance Group Slovakia

Vienna Insurance Group in Slovakia: Klaudia Volnerová is appointed Kooperativa's new Chief Financial Officer

January 21, 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

CEE Stocks to Climb by 20% in 2011

Erste Group analysts recommend: stock picking rather than sector allocation. 2011 to be a positive year for equity investments.

January 5, 2011

Poor Outlook for Creditors of SkyEurope

The Austrian-Slovakian airline, which became insolvent in 2009, will only reach a quota of 16%.

January 4, 2011

Austria's Labor Market Opens

As of May 1, 2011 the German and Austrian labor markets open for the new EU citizens. Romania and Bulgaria will follow suit in 2013.

December 30, 2010

Garage Operator Company List Expands to Hungary

The Vienna-based List Group, which acts as real estate company, acquired the Wipark Group in Hungary.

December 28, 2010

OeNB: Recovery of the Financial System in a Persistently Uncertain Environment

The OeNB considers that domestic banks benefit from the positive development in the CEE region. However, uncertainties stay on as before.

December 15, 2010

Nowotny: No Euro-bonds Yet

Although he supports the euro-bonds in principle, the time has not come yet for the Governor of the Austrian National Bank.

December 10, 2010

Austrian Economic Chamber Supports Development of the Danube as a Transportation Route

Austrian Economic Chamber President Christoph Leitl supports the EU's Danube region strategy to expand infrastructure between the Danube countries.

December 10, 2010