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.

Croatian Parliament Abolishes 6% Mobile Service Tax

The local subsidiary of Telekom Austria benefits from the abolition of the special tax which caused expenses of € 15.2m in 2010.

October 28, 2011

Alpine and Strabag Fighting for the Concession for Zagreb’s Airport

European airlines are facing difficult times, but the demand for flights is still high. The future belongs to South European countries. Therefore, international airlines and airport operators are seeking their chance there.

October 25, 2011

VIG Acquires Jahorina Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe is the new majority shareholder in the Jahorina Osiguranje AD Pale (Jahorina) insurance company in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

October 20, 2011

Growth of CEE Region Under Threat from Eurozone Crisis

The EBRD research is predicting a slow-down in emerging Europe’s economic growth next year with the continuing eurozone sovereign debt crisis posing challenges to recovery from the 2008-09 global financial crisis.

October 18, 2011

Spectacular Surge in Profits of CEE Technology Companies

The annual Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Program honors the fastest growing Central European technology companies. It is based on the percentage of revenue growth over five-year period.

October 18, 2011

Raiffeisen's Comment on Current Developments of CEE Eurobonds

Eurobond markets felt the deteriorating market sentiment in recent weeks, reported Raiffeisen Research.

October 18, 2011

CEE Less Vulnerable to Severe Economic Crisis

The reaction of the CEE region to the global slowdown should be less severe than in the post-Lehman crisis, as CEE economies are in a completely different stage of their economic cycle and have reduced their imbalances.

October 17, 2011

Still Danger of Overheating in SEE Property Markets

According to the “Bank Austria Real Estate Country Facts”, commercial property markets in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia are gaining ground, but risks of overheating remains.

October 15, 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

Kelag to Invest € 70m in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Carinthian energy provider signed a contract on the expansion of the hydro power infrastructure in Republika Srpska.

September 29, 2011

Serbia as Growth Market for Denkstatt

The Vienna-based environment consulting group Denkstatt intends to gain a foothold in Serbia.

September 19, 2011

Vienna Insurance Group: Market entry in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Vienna Insurance Group AG has signed a contract to acquire a majority stake in the insurer Jahorina Osiguranje AD Pale (Jahorina) in Bosnia-Herzegovina after successfully concluding due diligence.

September 13, 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

Cineplexx Grows Further in SEE Region

The Austrian cinema group takes over two major cinemas in Serbia and Montenegro. Thus, Cineplexx already runs five cinemas in former Yugoslavia.

September 5, 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

Vienna Insurance Group Expands Involvement in Albania

With the acquisition of a 75% stake in Intersig, the Austrian insurance company raises its market share in Albania to 30%.

August 24, 2011

Telekom Austria Closes Acquisition of Croatian B.net

The Austrian telecommunications group has received green light from Croatia’s competition authority for the acquisition of the country’s largest cable operator.

August 8, 2011

S&T Wins Contract in Serbia

The Austrian IT service provider will be responsible for the implementation of the largest SAP project in Serbia in the last years.

June 28, 2011

WIFI International Expanding into Albania

The education provider continues its internationalization strategy and is now active in nine CEE/SEE countries.

June 24, 2011

WKÖ: Economic Talks with the Macedonian President

80 Austrian enterprises are already active in Macedonia. Exports to the country increased by 17% in the first quarter of the year.

June 21, 2011

Telekom Austria Refrains from an Acquisition of Telekom Srbija

For the time being, the Austrian telecommunications group has no intention to pursue a deal with the Serbian government after negotiations had failed in May.

June 16, 2011

Austria Still Biggest Investor in Serbia

Since 2000, Austrian companies have invested more than € 3bn in the Balkan country.

June 14, 2011

Telekom Austria Acquires B.net Hrvatska

The telecommunications group purchases Croatia’s largest cable operator from Bewag, an Austrian regional electricity supplier.

June 8, 2011

Telekom Austria Bidding for Kosovo Telecom

The Austrian telecommunications group and a Croatian competitor have been shortlisted in the privatization process of Kosovo’s most profitable company.

June 7, 2011

Raiffeisen Not Interested in Hypo

The Austrian bank group is currently expanding in Poland but it is not going to bid for Hypo Alpe Adria as an acquisition “would not make sense”.

June 6, 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

ÖBB: No Sale of Loss-Making Rail Cargo Hungaria

The Austrian Federal Railways want to become market leader in rail cargo in Central and Southeastern Europe. € 30m will be invested in 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

Zagreb Airport: Austrian construction companies hope for an addition

Austrian construction companies Strabag and Alpine fight for the award of an additional contract in a € 200m project.

May 11, 2011

Telekom Austria: Serbian Deal Failed

The new offer by Telekom Austria is rejected in Serbia: the sale has failed.

May 7, 2011

Immofinanz takes over 100% of Zagreb’s Grand Centar

Immofinanz acquired the remaining 20% stake in the Grand Centar in Zagreb through its subsidiary Immoest Allegro. This stake was previously held by Generali Immobilien AG.

May 5, 2011

New Bid for Telekom Srbija

The Telekom Austria Group Submits a Revised Conditional Bid of up to € 1.1 Bn for the Acquisition of a 51% Stake in Telekom Srbija

May 4, 2011

Moderate Premium Growth for Merkur Versicherung

Record premium increase of 22.7% in the accident insurance division. Continued upward trend in South East Europe: Merkur increases its market share in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 29.3%.

May 4, 2011

Serbian News: "Stake in Telekom Srbija already Sold to Telekom Austria"

Although there is still no official announcement from the government on the sale of Telekom Srbija, there is speculation the company has already been sold, Serbian B92 reports.

May 2, 2011

Telekom Srbija: Rising Prospects for Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria might still succeed in Serbia with an alternative solution. The mobile subsidiary would have to be handed over.

April 22, 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

EVN Makes € 105m Investment in Croatia

The Croatian subsdiary of the Austrian energy company EVN started construction works on Zadar county gas network.

April 14, 2011

Telekom Austria Receives an Extension

Telekom Austria has been granted an extension of the deadline for submitting a revised offer for 51% of Telekom Srbija.

April 13, 2011

Cineplexx Expands

The Austrian cinema operator intends to establish itself in Croatia. A location in the capital was already functioning, and two more have been added now.

April 12, 2011

Speculations on Improvement of Bid of Telekom Austria in Serbia

Telekom Austria (TA) has time until 12 April to increase the bid for a majority stake in Telekom Srbija. TA does not seem to be totally uninterested.

April 8, 2011

Serbia: Intense Resistance to Possible Sale to Telekom Austria

Tempers run high In the sale process of selling the majority government owned Telekom Srbija. The union puts pressure on the Serbian government.

April 6, 2011

Saubermacher: Further Expansion in the SEE Region

The Austrian waste recycler takes over a Croatian supplier and takes further expansion steps.

April 6, 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

Southeastern Europe as a Region of Hope for Austria

Great interest of Austrian companies at the Austria Foreign Trade Forum on Export and Investment Opportunities in Southeastern Europe

April 2, 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

Macedonia: Court procedure ELEM – EVN settled

Today ongoing judicial proceedings since 2008 between state-owned ELEM and the Austrian energy company EVN have been terminated by an in court settlement.

March 31, 2011