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        Austerity

 
    
        EBRD Analyzes Slovenia´s Difficulties 
      
      
From October 21 to 25, a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will visit the ailing country.
                                  October 21, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Poland: IMF Upgrades Growth Forecasts 
      
      
According to the IMF, Poland´s GDP growth will reach 2.4%. In the prior forecast, the IMF anticipated a 2.2% growth rate.
                                  October 21, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia: Massive Concerns Against Real Estate Tax 
      
      
The Slovenian government plans to introduce property taxes in order to reduce the budget deficit. The opposition warns that the tax may be “highly counterproductive”.
                                  October 18, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        RBI Considers Participation in Hypo Group’s Bad Bank 
      
      
In a radio interview with “Ö1”, Karl Sevelda, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), announced that he regards a particpation of his bank as possible.
                                  October 18, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia Introduces Property Tax 
      
      
In order to reduce the massive fiscal shortfall, Slovenia is looking for new revenues. The property tax may bring more than € 400m.
                                  October 17, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Experts Urge Serbia to Accelerate Austerity Measures 
      
      
It is still questionable whether the austerity measures announced by the Serbian government are sufficient.
                                  October 15, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Russian and Ukrainian Oligarchs Interested in RBI’s Affiliate 
      
      
The Ukrainian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), Bank Aval, has become the object of desire for Russian billionaire Fridman and Ukrainian banker Lagun.
                                  October 15, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Serbia’s Participation in South Stream Not at Risk 
      
      
According to Petar Skundic, Serbian energy advisor to the Prime Minister, the gas pipeline project is not imperiled by the government’s austerity measures.
                                  October 14, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        IMF: Serbia´s Reforms are Not Sufficient 
      
      
On the occasion of a visit in Serbia, the IMF commented the efforts of the Serbian government to cut the budget gap. The austerity cuts are right, but the country needs further reforms, IMF´s team said.
                                  October 10, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Romania Under Observation 
      
      
The IMF wants Romania´s government to put more effort in austerity measures, market liberalization and privatization of state-owned assets.
                                  October 9, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Serbia Fights Against National Bankruptcy 
      
      
The Serbian government has decided to implement a new austerity package. Above all, civil servants face substantial salary cuts.
                                  October 9, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Croatia: Domestic Consumption Remains Weak 
      
      
In the next years, Croatia´s economic performance will mainly depend on external factors.
                                  October 5, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Sevelda: Not the Right Time for Capital Increase 
      
      
In an interview with Financial Times (FT) Karl Sevelda, CEO of RBI, states that a capital increase would be difficult at the moment due to an unfavorable economic environment.
                                  October 4, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        RZB: Leasing Segment Proves Difficult 
      
      
Last year, the leasing subsidiary of Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) has recorded massive losses. In the next years, the leasing business will not return to profitability.
                                  September 28, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Czech Republic: Recession Is Not Managed Yet 
      
      
This year, the Czech GDP is expected to contract by 1.1%, the Czech Ministry of Finance forecasts.
                                  September 26, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Raiffeisen Sector: Austerity Cuts Ahead 
      
      
RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank), the majority shareholder of Vienna-listed RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) plans to reduce its costs substantially.
                                  September 26, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia: PM Takes International Bailout into Consideration 
      
      
For the first time the crisis-struck Eurozone member country has admitted to consider international bailout as an option for its ailing banks.
                                  September 26, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        RBI: Drastic Austerity Measures Ahead 
      
      
Vienna-listed Raiffeisen Bank International will have to cut costs by € 450m within 3 years.
                                  September 25, 2013           · Updated: September 25, 2013; 10:41                              
    
 
    
        Slovenia: Controversies Over New Budget 
      
      
Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek links the approval to the austerity budget to a vote of confidence.
                                  September 25, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Croatia to Issue Dollar Bonds 
      
      
In order to cover its foreign exchange needs, Croatia will issue a dollar bond with a size of $ 2.7bn.
                                  September 24, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Keuschnigg: Losses of Hypo Compensated by Privatizations 
      
      
Christian Keuschnigg, head of the IHS (Austrian Institute for Higher Studies) suggests to privatize OMV, Post and Telekom Austria to pay for Hypo Group.
                                  September 20, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Another Austerity Package in Austria? 
      
      
Due to the dismal situation of nationalized banks, the economist Christian Keuschnigg anticipates another austerity package after the election at the end of September.
                                  September 6, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Faymann: “Banks Should Pay for Hypo” 
      
      
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann does not consider a new austerity package necessary despite of the threatening billions of Euros for the selling and winding-up of the ailing bank.
                                  September 5, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Lopatka Demands Reform for Austrian Railways 
      
      
State Secretary Lopatka demands Minister of Infrastructure Bures to tackle the expensive pension system at the Austrian Railways by doing away with privliges for emplyoees in order to unburden tax payers.
                                  September 4, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Poland: Economy Begins to Accelerate 
      
      
In the third quarter of 2013, Poland´s economy will grow by 1.0% year on year.
                                  August 31, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Czech Republic: GDP to Shrink Further 
      
      
The Czech Republic will not leave the recession behind soon. The economic forecasts had to be revised again.
                                  August 31, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Austria: “Painful Cuts“ at RBI 
      
      
According to the most recent results, the bank has losses in profits of more then 60 percent. A strict cost reduction program
                                  August 22, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Poland: Budget Amendment Passed in Parliament 
      
      
In order to adapt to the slow economic growth the government has amended the budet by permitting this year’s budget deficit to increase to PLN 16bn as well as approving PLN in spending cut, as announced at a press conferenced on Tuesday.
                                  August 21, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Romania: Significant Drop in Purchase Power 
      
      
General consumption climate is unfavorable in Europe at the moment.
                                  August 12, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Czech Republic: Interest Rates Remain Flat 
      
      
The Czech National Bank (CNB) holds the base rate at its historical low. In the course of 2014, the Czech economy is expected to recover.
                                  August 2, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        China: Big Plans for Ljubljana Airport 
      
      
China Southern, Asia’s biggest airline company, plans to establish a hub in Ljubljana for SEE.
                                  July 24, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        NBP Wants Government to Adapt Budget 
      
      
After the Polish government has announced to postpone its austerity plans, the National Bank of Poland calls the government to submit an updated fiscal outlook.
                                  July 19, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Poland Tries to Manage Fiscal Balancing Act 
      
      
On the one hand, Poland´s government wants to keep an eye on the Maastricht Criteria. On the other hand, the economic growth would shrink even more without a fiscal stimulus.
                                  July 18, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Polish Government to Leave Austerity Path 
      
      
In order to boost Poland´s economic growth, the government wants to ease the fiscal discipline.
                                  July 17, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Poland: Economic Upswing not before 2014 
      
      
Poland´s National Bank NBP expects that the country´s economic performance will not improve visibly this year.
                                  July 16, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        IMF to Leave Hungary 
      
      
Hungary´s National Bank MNB has called the IMF to close its representative office. Hungary wants to repay the loan facility provided by the IMF soon.
                                  July 16, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        IMF Downgrades Growth Prognosis for Eurozone 
      
      
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prospects of growth in the Eurozone are still positive. However, they are not as good as in April. Germany and Austria are concerned as well.
                                  July 10, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia’s Banking Sector Threatened by Delay of Bad Bank-Transfers 
      
      
After the EU Commission denied approval for the first transfers of bad loans to the bank asset management by June 28, the reorganization of the banking system in Slovenia has been postponed.
                                  July 9, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Latvia: Joining the Eurozone 
      
      
Lativa is becoming the 18th country in the Eurozone. The EU Economy and Finance Ministers have given their green light for the admission.
                                  July 9, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Fekter: Eurozone More Stable Than A Year Ago 
      
      
Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter has described the condition of the Eurozone as “better” than compared to a year ago.
                                  July 9, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected 
      
      
According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.
                                  July 1, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period 
      
      
In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.
                                  June 28, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Erste Group to Pay Back € 1.8bn in State Aid 
      
      
The Austrian banking institute plans on not only paying back its debts at the state but also to significantly increase equity capital.
                                  June 24, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Alpine to Be Shut Down 
      
      
Bankrupt-gone construction company Alpine is facing a breaking down. After negotiations about establishing a rescue company failed, the enterprise will apply for a shutdown.
                                  June 24, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia’s Economic Outlook to Deteriorate Further 
      
      
The Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development expects GDP in Slovenia to shrink more than projected earlier.
                                  June 21, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Last Try to Save Polish Airline LOT 
      
      
Poland’s National Treasury starts a final attempt at saving Polish Airlines LOT.
                                  June 21, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        AUA „Makes Good Progress“ 
      
      
Chairman of Lufthansa Christoph Franz is confident that the Austrian affiliate Austrian Airways (AUA) will be able to make the turnaround in time.
                                  June 20, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Moody's: Overall Fiscal Situation In CEE Is Improving 
      
      
Because of austerity measures in most of the countries, the economic situation is slowly but steadily improving.However, the latest competitiveness report pains a bleak picture of the future.
                                  June 7, 2013                                        
    
 
    
        Slovenia: Commission’s Target to Be Achieved in September 
      
      
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Gregor Virant announced that Slovenia will achieve the EU Commission’s aim for approving more budget cuts by the end of September to avoid international bailout.
                                  June 6, 2013                                        
     
           
       
    
