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Western Balkan Countries in Austria | Bilateral Relations
Austria and the Western Balkans as a Region (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia). See also each country individually.
Croatia Said to Become Part of South Stream Pipeline
Good news for Croatia: Gazprom and Plinacro are said to have agreed on a natural gas pipeline across Croatia. The pipeline may enhance employment and reduce natural gas costs.
August 27, 2012
Serbians Push Government for Reforms
The support for an EU membership has fallen below 50%. However, more Serbians call for economic and social reforms.
August 27, 2012
Serbia: Rise in Poverty Expected
The economic crisis in Serbia sharpens. Millions of households are not able to repay their debts.
August 25, 2012
Economic Crisis: Croatians are Pessimistic
According to the Croatian website politika plus, 84% of the Croatians believe that the current economic crisis will sharpen further.
August 24, 2012
Croatian Unemployment Rate Reaches 17.5%
In July 2012, the Croatian unemployment rate was up by 0.2 percentage points to 17.5%.
August 23, 2012
Croatia: Non-Performing Loans on the Rise
Almost one out of seven loans is classified as “non-performing.” A further aggravation is rather likely.
August 22, 2012
EBRD Grants Major Loan to Macedonia
Macedonia was granted € 46.4m by EBRD for construction of the railroad to Bulgaria.
August 22, 2012
New Property Tax in Croatia
Slavko Linic, Finance Minister of Croatia, confirmed that Croatia will introduce a property tax in 2013. There would be no need for an IMF loan, Linic argues.
August 21, 2012
Dispute Over Hypo Group
Despite the relatively good results, the nationalized bank needs further capital injections. What is more, the capital shortfall at Hypo Group is highly controversial.
August 16, 2012
Croatian Banks Record Lower Profits
In the first six months of 2012, the net income generated by Croatian banks was down by 19%. The Croatian economy is expected to shrink this year.
August 16, 2012
Demerger at Hypo Group Resolved
In order to become re-sold, the Austrian subsidiary of Hypo Group shifts risky assets to the holding company.
August 14, 2012
Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank in the Red Again
Today, the nationalized bank announced its half yearly result for 2012. Net Results reached € 10m.
August 13, 2012
Hypo Alpe Adria Divests TLM-TVP in Croatia
The nationalized Austrian bank successfully has sold the aluminum hot-rolling mill TLM-TVP d.o.o. in Croatia to the Vienna-based Euris.
August 13, 2012
OMV to Focus on Gas Business
The Austrian oil and gas company intends to exploit natural gas in proximity to Europe. The Black Sea and the North Sea are the strategically most important areas.
August 8, 2012
Serbia: Struggle for Central Bank Sharpens
After the resignation of governor Dejan Soskic, the EU warns Serbia of abolishing the independence of the Serbian Central Bank.
August 6, 2012
Budget Crisis: Serbia to Reduce Foreign Exchange Reserves
In order to mend Serbia´s budget hole, the government plans to amend the Central Bank law.
August 2, 2012
Croatian Bridge Construction Project: Strabag Withdraws
The biggest Austrian construction group withdraws from the € 20m contract.
July 27, 2012
Poland as CESEE´s Locomotive
This year, the CESEE region should record a growth rate of 1.7%. However, the situation is highly different.
July 25, 2012
Rising Serbian Budget Deficit Causes Worries
This year, Serbia has to borrow € 4.2bn. A budget deficit of € 300m is forecasted in 2012.
July 24, 2012
Aiginger: „Feeding Banks Makes No Sense“
The director of WIFO (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) thinks that Spanish banks must be able to become insolvent.
July 24, 2012
Hypo Group: „As Little Bank Aids as Possible“
Hypo Group Alpe Adria´s CEO Gottwald is unhappy with reports that the state-owned bank may need further bank aids.
July 20, 2012
OMV: No Withdrawal from Germany
The Austrian oil company and petrol station operator will not sell the petrol station business in Germany. By contrast, the downsizing program in the SEE region and in the Czech Republic will be continued.
July 19, 2012
Takeover of Croatian Aluflex Failed
The Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria will not sell the Croatian aluminum group to the Swiss MTC (Montana Tech Components).
July 19, 2012
Kapsch CarrierCom Acquires Remaining Shares in Croatian TIS
With the acquisition of the remaining shares in the Croatian subsidiary Kapsch TIS d.o.o., Kapsch CarrierCom is further expanding its involvement in South-Eastern Europe.
July 18, 2012
EU – An Escape for Serbia?
The economic prospects for Serbia are gloomy. The priority of the new Serbian government is to join the European Union.
July 14, 2012
Southeastern Europe Faces Recession
According to the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW), Southeastern Europe is the weak point among European emerging countries.
July 7, 2012
Austria Remains One of the Biggest CESEE Investors
Austria is still an important net investor in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the global importance of the region did not increase.
July 6, 2012
Telekom Austria Not Interested in Telecom Kosovo
The privatization of the state-owned Kosovan PTK has begun. Telekom Austria will not participated in the sales process.
July 5, 2012
CESEE: Poland and Turkey are Hot Spots
Erste Economic Sentiment Indicator CEE: stock market expectations weaker, but still ahead of Eurozone. Turkey and Poland remain the preferred investment regions.
July 4, 2012
Uniqa Completes Sale of Mannheimer Group
The Austrian insurance group Uniqa completed the sale of the Frankfurt listed company Mannheimer AG Holding to Continentale Versicherungsverbund. Growth in CESEE countries should be strengthened.
June 29, 2012
Infineon to Invest € 250m in Austria
In 2012, Infineon Austria´s CEO Monika Kircher-Kohl wants to make investments of € 250m. The high tech company is already looking for new staff.
June 28, 2012
Real Estate Crisis in the Balkans Has Deepened
Due to the economic crisis in Southeastern Europe, real estate prices are still falling. Since 2008, prices fell by up to 50%.
June 28, 2012
Kelag Invests € 60m in Kosovo
The Austrian regional energy supplier celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony of a major power plant in Kosovo this week. Investments will total € 60m.
June 27, 2012
Austria Appreciates Opening of Accession Negotiations
After the beginning of the accession negotiations with the EU, the Austrian government congratulates Montenegro.
June 26, 2012
Nabucco „Not Essential“ for EU
For the EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, it is not important which pipeline ships natural gas to Europe.
June 22, 2012
Austrian Lotteries Apply for License in Albania
The Albanian Ministry of Finance offers licenses for foreign applicants. A heavy dispute occurs.
June 22, 2012
Euris Interested in Croatian TLM-TVP
The Austrian aluminum trader Euris shows interest in the Croatian aluminum rolling mill. Austrian Hypo Group is the seller, the Swiss Montana Tech Components is still a potential buyer.
June 18, 2012
OMV Negotiates Petrol Station Sale with Russian Zarubezhneft
The Austrian oil and gas group OMV intends to sell its petrol station network in Croatia and Bosnia. The Russian Zarubezhneft seems to be interested.
June 12, 2012
Verbund and EVN Develop Hydro Power Projects in Albania
The Austrian energy companies are interested in developping hydro power projects in the Western Balkan country. The investment volume reaches € 80m.
June 6, 2012
CEE Banking Sector „Performs Well“
The Austrian Raiffeisen Centrobank sees high-growth potential in the CESEE region. Loan growth is at „healthy levels“, there are „no signs of a credit crunch“.
June 6, 2012
Downgrade for Austrian Banks
The U.S. rating agency Moody´s downgrades Erste Group, Raiffeisen Bank International and Bank Austria.
June 6, 2012
Downsizing: Hypo Group Aims to Achieve Proceeds of € 1.5bn
The nationalized Austrian banking group Hypo Group Alpe Adria starts its sales program in SEE countries and wants to achieve proceeds of € 1.5bn
May 21, 2012
Ruttenstorfer Enters Serbian Gazprom Subsidiary
The former CEO of Austrian OMV becomes a member of the supervisory board of the Serbian NIS.
May 9, 2012
Croatian Subsidiary of Alpine Said to be Insolvent
Osijek Koteks, the Croatian subsidiary of the Austrian construction group faces severe problems. According to rumors, Osijek Kotekts is illiquid.
May 8, 2012
Improved Business Atmosphere in CESEE Region
According to a survey by OeKB (Oesterreichische Kontrollbank), expectations of investors are beyond the level of January. Austrian exports to the CESEE region may increase.
May 4, 2012
Spindelegger Calls for “More Europe” for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina must still do some homework in order to be able to apply for EU membership still this year, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs says.
May 4, 2012
Telekom Austria Interested in Kosovo´s PTK
The Austrian telecommunication service provider still shows interest in taking over the Kosovo-based telecommunication company PTK. Last year, the sale was stopped.
May 4, 2012
Austria to Intensify Cooperation with Croatia
The Austrian Minister of Economics met his Croatian counterpart in Vienna. Above all, the EU-accession and investments were discussed.
April 24, 2012
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
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