Newsletter: Vienna International News
Trial to Begin in René Benko Case Involving Non-Transparent Cash Flows and €30 Billion in Claims
Just under two years after the spectacular collapse of the Signa empire founded by René Benko, the 48-year-old investor is facing a turning point: the first criminal trial begins next Tuesday at the Innsbruck Regional Court. While the judiciary accuses him of concealing assets from creditors, the investigating authorities still consider the “big picture” of cash flows in the opaque Signa structure to be open.
China's Ambassador Qi Mei Meets with Minister Hanke to Discuss Infrastructure and the Silk Road Initiative
Cooperation between China and Austria in important future-oriented areas was the focus of a meeting in Vienna between Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) and Chinese Ambassador H.E. Qi Mei.
Hattmannsdorfer Calls for Tough EU Action Against Hungary's Special Tax
Austria's Minister of Economic Affairs is urging Brussels to take Hungary to the European Court of Justice because the special tax imposed by Budapest burdens international retail chains such as Spar and Hofer with a discriminatory levy of up to 4.5 percent of net sales.
EU Initiates New Proceedings Against Austria: Delays in Payment Services and Drinking Water
The European Commission has initiated two further infringement proceedings against Austria and several other Member States. The reason for this is that Vienna is lagging in the correct implementation of EU directives in the areas of payment services and drinking water.
Russian Duma Seals Withdrawal From Plutonium Agreement with the U.S.
The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, voted to withdraw Russia completely from a key nuclear disarmament treaty with the United States. The Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA), which regulates the destruction of large quantities of weapons-grade plutonium, is now finally history.
Austria With Billion-Euro Deficit in Agricultural Foreign Trade
Imports of agricultural products are rising significantly faster than exports, which is alarming industry representatives. Austria's overall agricultural foreign trade balance is falling at a rapid pace. While export volumes are stagnating, import volumes are growing.
