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

austriamicrosystems Reports Rise in Revenues and Earnings

The manufacturer of high performance analog ICs registered a 32% rise in revenues. EBIT rose by 59%.

February 29, 2012

New Criticism on Austerity Package

For the chief economist at RZB, Peter Brezinschek, the austerity package is not ambitious enough. The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl, criticizes the introduction of new taxes.

February 28, 2012

Decision on Nabucco Again Postponed

The natural gas consortium „Shah Deniz II“ postpones its decision by one year. OMV´s CEO Gerhard Roiss underlines the importance of a pipeline to the Austrian hub Baumgarten.

February 24, 2012

Nabucco Still Competes For Gas in Azerbaijan

The gas pipeline project, in which the Austrian oil company OMV is engaged, now enters the critical phase.

February 21, 2012

Fekter: „Austerity Package is Structural Reform Package“

In spite of criticism by economists, for the Austrian Minister of Finance, the austerity package is a “big success”.

February 20, 2012

Slight Sales Increase at Internorm

The Austrian window manufacturer recorded sales of € 311m in 2011, which is a rise of 2.0% against 2010. Exports to Germany grew disproportionately high.

February 16, 2012

Illegal Income from Switzerland Should Support Government´s Plans

The Austrian government hopes that proceeds from illegal income in Switzerland reach € 1.0bn in 2013. However, an agreement with Switzerland has not been concluded so far.

February 13, 2012

Austrian Government Presents € 27bn Austerity Package

The largest austerity package in Austria´s history mainly consists of cuts in expenditures. The government emphasized the socially balanced measures and the necessity due to reasons of competitiveness.

February 11, 2012

A-Tec´s Quota to Reach 30%

In July, the insolvency quota of A-Tec will be paid to creditors. The quota will range from 30% to 35%.

February 10, 2012

Schlumberger Records Rise in Earnings

In spite of difficult market conditions, the Austrian sparkling wine producer holds on its ambitious growth targets. Exports should be reinforced.

February 10, 2012

Sale of Brixlegg Concluded

The former copper-division of the insolvent Austrian A-Tec Group has been sold to the Swiss Umcor AG.

February 10, 2012

Merger of Glencore and Xstrata: voestalpine Not Concerned

The Austrian steel company does not feel affected by the merger between the two major commodity corporations Glencore and Xstrata.

February 8, 2012

Keuschnigg to Succeed Felderer

Christian Keuschnigg will succeed Bernhard Felderer as director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) in June.

February 8, 2012

Innovation Index: Austria Falls Behind

Austria again loses in competitiveness: among the EU member countries, Austria occupies the eighth rank.

February 7, 2012

Emirates: Antinori Wants AUA´s Staff to Switch

The head of marketing at Emirates, Thierry Antinori, wants dissatisfied employees at AUA to change to Emirates.

February 6, 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

New Records for Viennese Tourism

In 2011, the Austrian capital registered 11.4 million guest nights, which is a new record.

January 24, 2012

New Record in Agricultural Exports

In 2011, Austrian food exports exceeded € 9.0bn for the first time.

January 21, 2012

Austriamicrosystems Reports Strong Rise in Revenues

austriamicrosystems announces its preliminary financial information for full year and fourth quarter 2011.

January 19, 2012

RHI Takes Over Swiss Stopinc AG

The Austrian producer of refractory takes over refractory specialty producer Stopinc AG. RHI thus increase the stake held from 50% to 100%.

January 18, 2012

New Record for Austrian Wine Exports

Although the quantity of wine exports is shrinking steadily, the export volume worth € 126m reached a new record.

December 28, 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

AUA to Strengthen Presence in Austria

Austrian Airlines, the subsidiary of the German Lufthansa, refocuses on the Austrian home market. Flights to provincial airports should be extended.

December 8, 2011

Only Small Increase in Exports in 2012

After a substantial growth in 2011, OECD expects only a slight rise in Austrian exports.

December 6, 2011

Zumtobel Registers Profits Decrease

The Austrian light technology company reports an increase in revenues by 8.4% in the first half year. EBIT was down by 10.1%

December 6, 2011

Legal Success for Bank Austria

A Swiss court granted the bank’s appeal against an obligation to pay € 245m to a German public body.

December 2, 2011

Vienna Has the Best Living Standard

The Austrian capital defended its position as the city with the highest standard of living. It is followed by Zurich and Auckland.

November 29, 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

Austrian Tourism Industry is Cautiously Optimistc

The Austrian Minister of Economic, Reinhold Mitterlehner considers that the tourism industry has learned to deal with an economic crisis.

November 28, 2011

Austrian IT Service Provider Expands to Canada

The IT-service company Navax has ambitious growth plans. Expansion should not only take place in Austria, but also in Canada, Switzerland and Germany.

October 31, 2011

Strong Rise in Sales for austriamicrosystems

Austriamicrosystems, a manufacturer of ICs for communications, industry & medical and automotive applications, reports revenue and earnings growth for the third quarter of 2011.

October 24, 2011

R&D Expenses on the Rise

The largest Austrian Enterprises increased their budgets for research & development by 9.6% on average. This is slightly beyond the global average (9.3%).

October 24, 2011

Victory AG Sold to China

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik, who recently acquired a minor stake in Telekom Austria, sold his investment company to China. Raiffeisen and Hypo Group still have uncovered loans.

October 22, 2011

Austrian Food Exports are Booming

About 66% of the domestic food production is being exported. Germany remains the most important foreign market.

October 10, 2011

Kresta Takes Over Swiss Buss ChemTech

The newly acquired company will become the technology center of the Austrian plant building company.

September 30, 2011

Austrian Foreign Trade Rising Significantly

January to June 2011: Austrian imports rose by almost 19%, Austrian exports increased by more than 17%

September 6, 2011

SkyWork Launches Services to Vienna

The Swiss Airline now provides flights to the Austrian capital.

September 6, 2011

S&T Deeper in the Red

The IT service provider recorded higher losses in the first six months of 2011. The Austrian workforce has been reduced by one third since October.

August 10, 2011

Zhengzhou Acquires Plant in Upper Austria

The Chinese state-owned company takes over a textile machine factory in Linz from Swiss Oerlikon.

August 9, 2011

IHS: Keuschnigg in Pole Position for Succession of Felderer

The institute’s board of trustees has voted for the Tyrolean Keuschnigg as successor of retiring boss Felderer. Contracts still have to be signed.

July 28, 2011

Massive Increase in Municipalities’ Foreign Currency Debt

The amount of foreign currency debt has doubled since 2009 and surpassed € 2bn in February 2011. Swiss franc denominated loans accounted for almost 100%.

July 25, 2011

austriamicrosystems to Be Included in SIX Swiss Exchange’s SPI Middle Index Basket

Inclusion of the Austrian microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturer in the SPI Middle index basket becomes effective September 19, 2011.

July 21, 2011

Gerhard Niesslein Becomes CEO of Orascom Development Holding

The Swiss-based town developer appoints Austrian Gerhard Niesslein as new CEO of the Group. Samih Sawiris remains Executive Chairman focusing on the firm's strategic development.

July 15, 2011

ACP Says No to IPO

The Viennese IT service provider has ruled out an IPO for the next two to three years as the market environment is “not suitable for medium-sized companies”.

June 27, 2011

Austrian Labor Market Relatively Stable during Crisis

A recent study shows: The labor market has weathered the economic crisis. Politicians and companies have taken the right decisions.

June 24, 2011

JCL Logistics Acquires Competitor in the Netherlands

The Styrian logistics provider will become market leader in the Benelux countries. The company is active in 25 countries already.

June 9, 2011

Swiss Expert Criticizes Austria’s Role in International Money Laundering

OECD expert: “Austria is used as a gateway for international money laundering. It is doing too little to fight the phenomenon.” Only twelve convictions were made in 2009.

May 26, 2011

Hypo Tirol Continues Restructuring Process

The Supervisory Board of the Austrian regional bank appoints two new board members. Furthermore, withdrawal from Germany and Switzerland is to take place.

April 27, 2011

Payer Takes over Fluid Pack Production from Roche

July 2011 will see Roche Diagnostics in Graz transfer 6 fluid pack production systems to Payer International Technologies in St. Bartholomä. The cooperation with Roche continues.

April 15, 2011

Profit Decline at Zürich Austria

The Swiss insurance group Zürich Versicherung managed to increase its premiums, but the results decreased.

April 8, 2011