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

Austrian President and Various Ministers at the UN-General Assembly

Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Andrä Rupprechter and Minister for Education and Women’s Affairs Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek were in New York on the occasion of the leader’s week opening the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA).

October 8, 2015

Executives of Austrian Companies in the US and Canada Met in Chicago

For the second time, the Annual Conference for Executives of Austrian Subsidiaries returned to Chicago. A group of renowned financial, legal, economic experts and consultants presented an outlook on the business environment as well as forecasts for the US and Canadian economies to an audience of some 100 top-level Austrian executives and important decision makers from a variety of industries.

October 8, 2015

IAEA's Position and Road-Map Regarding Iran's Nuclear Program

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) agree, in continuation of their cooperation under the Framework for Cooperation, to accelerate and strengthen their cooperation and dialogue aimed at the resolution, by the end of 2015, of all past and present outstanding issues that have not already been resolved by the IAEA and Iran.

July 14, 2015

Iran Nuclear Deal: Joint Statement by Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister

The joint statement by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif calls on the world community "to support the implementation of this historic effort". "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a balanced deal that respects the interests of all sides. It is also complex, detailed and technical."

July 14, 2015

Iran Nuclear Deal: Historic Agreement in Vienna

The so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany and the EU have reached a "historic" deal with Iran on limiting Iranian nuclear activity in return for the lifting of international economic sanctions. The deal, known as the "Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action", was signed today in Vienna.

July 14, 2015

Historic Iran Nuclear Deal Likely to be Announced Early Tuesday

Officials negotiating in Vienna's Palais Coburg say nothing is confirmed, but a deal will possibly come in the early hours of the morning. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said an Iran nuclear deal would not be ready to be announced July 13, as China’s Foreign Minister urged the P5+1 and Iran to finalize the accord.

July 13, 2015

Bilderberg 2015: Full List of All 133 Participants

The full list of all 133 attendees to the top secret Bilderberg Group conference 2015 has been released (see below). The Austrians participating are René Benko, Oscar Bronner, Heinz Fischer, Alfred Gusenbauer, Erich Hampel, Wolfgang Hesoun, Gerhard Roiss, Rudolf Scholten and Karl Sevelda.

June 12, 2015 · Updated: June 12, 2015; 17:45

The Bilderberg Group - Background and Criticism

The first Bilderberg conference dates back to May 1954, when it was held at the Hotel de Bilderberg in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. Partly because of its working methods to ensure strict privacy, the Bilderberg Group has been criticised for its lack of transparency and accountability.

June 11, 2015

Bilderberg 2015: The "World Government" Meets in Austria

A select group of global elite is gathering today at the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in Telfs-Buchen, Austria. The 63rd Bilderberg conference is a super secret annual conference where they can discuss politics, economics and foreign policy freely. A total of around 140 participants from 22 countries have confirmed their attendance at the Bilderberg conference 2015. As ever, a diverse group of political leaders and experts from industry and finance have been invited. This year the list includes nine Austrians. Key talking points on the agenda include the Ukrainian crisis, Greece, Middle East and Terrorism (see detailed list below). Security is tight - participants as well as protesters and journalists will have to deal with the Austrian anti terror squad "Cobra". After 1979 it's the second time that the conference takes place in Austria.

June 11, 2015 · Updated: June 11, 2015; 19:00

Cross Sells Carcarpet Manufacturer Durmont to AGM Automotive

Cross Industrial Investments agreed on a strategic partnership with AGM Automotive LLC in the sector of carcarpet production. AGM acquired a majority stake of Durmont Teppichbodenfabrik GmbH.

April 14, 2015

Aircraft Component Maker FACC Moves Operations Partially to the US

FACC AG has established an additional plant in Wichita/USA for the purpose of expanding the company's global presence in repair and maintenance.

April 13, 2015

Austria to Support China's "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"?

The Austrian Finance Ministry confirmed that Austria will participate in the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) project after receiving the appropriate approval from the government. Now it checks for a potential engagement. China is taking matters into its own hands. It will use the new bank to expand its influence at the expense of America and Japan. Its decision to fund a new multilateral bank reflects its frustration with the slow pace of global economic governance reform. China is the biggest economy in Asia, but the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is still dominated by the Japanese: Japan’s voting share is twice China’s and the ADB’s president has always been Japanese. Also, reforms to give China more say at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been delayed for years.

March 27, 2015

Background: The New "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is regarded by some as a rival for the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which are regarded as dominated by developed countries like the United States. AIIB is an international financial institution proposed by the government of China. The purpose of the multilateral development bank is to provide finance to infrastructure projects in the Asia region. Austria recently said, that it is "positive" and that it "now checks for a potential engagement".

March 27, 2015

Quality of Living Rankings: Vienna Tops the List Again

Vienna remaines at the top of the 2015 Quality of Living Rankings, boasting the best quality of living for expatriates. In the top 5 there are two other European cities, Zurich (place 2) and Munich (place 4). Also Auckland (3rd) and Vancouver (5th) are among the top five cities.

March 4, 2015

Global Peace Index: Austria is Third Most Peaceful Country

The latest Global Peace Index analyses the state of peace around the world. It identifies the most and least peaceful countries, trends in violence and conflict, and calculates the economic impact of violence. The top three most peaceful countries are Iceland, Denmark and Austria. Small and stable democracies make up the top ten most peaceful countries. New Zealand, Canada and Japan are the only non-European countries in the top ten.

March 4, 2015

Rosenbauer International AG / Record levels for revenues, earnings

The Rosenbauer Group's revenues reached a top level of EUR 785.0 million in the 2014 financial year (2013: EUR 737.9 million), marking a year-on-year increase of 6%. The main factors contributing to the rise in revenues were US manufacturing and the companies in Spain and Singapore, which increased their delivery levels.

February 19, 2015

Austria is Celebrating 60 Years of United Nations Membership in 2015

Austria became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and is celebrating 60 years of UN membership in 2015. 70 years ago, the United Nations were founded in San Francisco.

February 5, 2015

Vienna is Among the Top 10 Startup Cities Where Entrepreneurs Want to Meet Up

A search engine for finding entrepreneurs to meet up with has published a list of the top 10 international startup cities. Vienna made it to number six. Continue reading to see the full ranking of the top international startup cities where entrepreneurs want to meet up.

February 4, 2015

George Soros: "A New Policy to Rescue Ukraine"

Soros is calling on members of the European Union to behave as countries indirectly at war with Russia and to provide Ukraine with $50 billion to defend itself and kick-start political reforms. Russian President Vladimir Putin's imperial ambition has unintentionally brought into being a new Ukraine that is adamantly opposed to endemic corruption and inefficient government. By offering assistance, Europe can foster an open society in Ukraine and protect itself from Russian aggression.

January 22, 2015

Ivica Dačić in Vienna: Serbia Takes Over OSCE Chairmanship from Switzerland

The new OSCE Chairperson, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, spoke today at the inaugural Permanent Council meeting of Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship Vienna. He revealed his Chairmanship priorities pledging to rebuild trust and confidence in the OSCE region of 57 participating states.

January 15, 2015

Secretary of State John Kerry at the OSCE Ministerial Plenary Session

"It is not our design or desire that we see a Russia isolated through its own actions. In fact, we are convinced that Moscow could rebuild trust and relationships if it simply helps to calm turbulent waters, if it takes steps now to implement the Minsk protocol."

December 5, 2014

Vienna: BRICS vs NAFTA – The Ups and Downs in the Economic Order

The BRICS conferenz 2014 was held at the Austrian Economic Chamber under the motto "BRICS vs NAFTA - The Ups and Downs in the Economic Order".

November 13, 2014

World Leaders Met in Vienna to Adopt 10 Year Action-Plan for Landlocked Developing Countries

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a 10 year action-plan aimed at accelerating sustainable development in the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). A Business and Investment Forum was organized as an integral part of the 2nd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries with the aim of exchanging views on the challenges and opportunities faced by LLDCs and to discuss possible partnerships and strategies in regards to the role of the private sector in the overall sustainable development of LLDCs. Also, Conchita Wurst performed live at the UN in Vienna for tolerance and mutual respect.

November 7, 2014

Who is Private Equity Investor Advent International?

Advent International is an American global private equity firm focused on buyouts of companies in Western and Central Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on international buyouts, growth and strategic restructuring in five core sectors. In 2008 the firm raised an additional €1 billion for investments in Central and Eastern Europe. Advent has acquired a number of companies in Central and Eastern Europe through its dedicated regional funds. These include Romanian Ceramica IASI, one of Romania’s leading ceramic bricks and clay roof tiles producers, Bolix, a leading Polish producer of construction chemicals, Dufa Deutek, Romania’s largest decorative paints producer, and LaborMed Pharma, which manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals primarily for cardiovascular and central nervous system aliments, and now Hypo Group Alpe Adria's Balkan assets.

October 30, 2014

BioEnergy International Expands Business in the USA

Listed technology company BDI BioEnergy International AG has been awarded with a contract for a plant optimisation project in California by Crimson Renewable Energy LP. The contract volume is in the lower single-digit million Euro range.

October 20, 2014

Update: Enquiry into TTIP and CETA Agreements

Details about the negotiation progress at Austria’s National Assembly have meanwhile been released. The Transatlantic Agreement CETA with Canada and the TTIP agreement with the USA have been cause for disagreements. The assembly has adopted a motion for resolution of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) concerning the transatlantic economic agreements with Canada (CETA) and the USA (TTIP). The motion calls for transparency of negotiations and ratification of the agreements by national parliaments.

September 25, 2014

Netflix: "We are Proud to Bring the Future of Television to Austria"

Netflix, the American provider of on-demand Internet streaming media followed up its launches in France and Germany by adding Austria to the list of countries in which its streaming services is available. The comapny intends to capture a third of the market share. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California. It started its subscription-based digital distribution service in 1999. By 2009, Netflix was offering a collection of 100,000 titles on DVD and had surpassed 10 million subscribers. By July 2014 Netflix has subscribers in over 40 countries.

September 17, 2014

Miba Expands Production Facilities in the US

Automotive supplier Miba Sinter USA, LLC, is opening new production facilities in Ohio. The extension will create 100 new jobs in the next three years and represents an investment of USD 8 million.

August 1, 2014

Reinhold Krammer Inaugurated as Austrian Honorary Consul in Chicago

Consul General Georg Heindl was very pleased to inaugurate Mr. Reinhold Frank (Rein) Krammer, a business lawyer whose parents immigrated from Austria to Chicago, as first Austrian Honorary Consul for Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

August 1, 2014

Pfizer's Agreement To Acquire Baxter’s Portfolio Of Marketed Vaccines Includes Facility in Austria

Pfizer Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Baxter International Inc.’s portfolio of marketed vaccines for $635 million. As part of the transaction, Pfizer will also acquire a portion of Baxter’s facility in Orth, Austria, where these vaccines are manufactured.

August 1, 2014

Austrian Doka Provides Formwork Solutions for Tallest Residential Building in NYC

Located on what is dubbed as “Billionaire’s Row,” 432 Park Avenue is a 90-foot by 90-foot square luxury condo building being erected 1,398 feet (426m) high. When complete, it will be the tallest residential building in New York City and in the Western Hemisphere. “This building will be a landmark…rising out of Midtown like a pencil sticking up in the air twice as high as anything else in the neighborhood,” says Antonio Rodrigues, President of Roger & Sons Concrete, Inc., the contractor for the project.

August 1, 2014

Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City

The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).

July 25, 2014

Voestalpine Plans Further Acquisitions

In an interview with the Financial Times, Voestalpine CEO Wolfgang Eder confirms his ambition to grow through acquisitions and to double its revenue by acquiring suitable targets in the special steel division in China and North America.

June 16, 2014

AmCham Austria: Lessing Has Been Elected New President

Mr. Norbert B. Lessing takes over the job of the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria from Mr. Felix Thun-Hohenstein.

June 10, 2014

TTIP-Myths and Realities According to AmCham Austria

The American Chamber of Commerce in Austria (AmCham Austria) promotes the expansion and strengthening of trade and commerce relations between Austria and the US. Talks on a future EU-US trade deal started in July 2013 and are set to continue throughout 2014. The talks are part of a trade and investment deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.

June 3, 2014

Boyden Partners Met in Vienna to Discuss Emerging Markets Strategies

The annual global Boyden conference took place in Vienna. Despite the current political crisis in Ukraine the headhunting company sees good prospects of Austrian enterprises and managers.

May 23, 2014

Switzerland: IMD Releases the World Competitiveness Yearbook Ranking 2014

The US leads, Europe recovers, and big emerging markets struggle.

May 22, 2014

Exporttag: Meet All Austrian Trade Delegates at the Export Day 2014

On June 24, the Export Day (Exporttag) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) will take place in Vienna. Economic delegates from all over the world will be present.

May 20, 2014

Amazon Gets New Warehouse in the Czech Republic

US-based online retailer Amazon will get a warehouse in the EIA informationsystem in the Černovická terasa industrial zone in Brno.

May 12, 2014

Croatia to Place New Eurobond by June

The Croatian government plans to issue a Eurobond until the beginning of June.

May 9, 2014

Wesner: “Failing in Business Does Not Mean Personal Failure”

The start-up culture in Austria is clearly different than the one in the US. On the occation of the May Day, experts, including US ambassador to Austria Alexa Wesner, talked about the differences in the start-up scenes.

May 8, 2014

Pewag Striving for Larger Market Share in US

The Austrian snow chain manufacturer appreciates the label “Made in USA”.

May 6, 2014

“US Rolls Out Red Carpet for Austrian Industrial Enterprises”

Potential Austrian investors are attracted with many incentives such as low energy costs, few bureaucratical hurdles and excellent infrastructure.

May 5, 2014 · Updated: May 6, 2014; 13:25

Federation of Industries: “Industrial Compact“ for European Competitiveness

The Austrian Federation of Industries (IV) considers the EU entry of Austria as the basis of prosperty and economic growth in the past years. However, now reforms are required to catch up to a global level.

May 5, 2014

Austria Gives up Bank Secret for United States

Austria and the US have signed an agreement for the exchange of fiscal data. However, the agreement could be renewed soon.

April 30, 2014

Austria: Difficult Market Situation for Selling Bawag

The selling of Bawag PSK proves difficult for its owner which is why an IPO is considered a realistic phasing-out scenario. However, experts doubt that an IPO will be a “highflyer”.

April 24, 2014

Eder: Policy-Makers Have to Make Decisions

Wolfgang Eder, CEO of Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine, claims not to have heard anything from the Austrian policy makers after he raised criticizm with regard to the Austrian business location.

April 24, 2014

Austria: Bawag to Go Public?

Bawag PSK is likely to go public, as reported by Bloomberg.

April 23, 2014

Eder: Austrian Industrial Location Not Attractive Anymore

Austria may lose one of its most important industrial flagships. Wolgang Eder, CEO of the Vienna-listed steel manufacturer voestalpine threatens to leave Austria.

April 18, 2014

Industrial Location Austria Losing Attractiveness

Among other things, labor costs and energy prices are too high, according to the Austrian Federation of Industries.

April 16, 2014