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CEE Central Eastern Europe


Lower Austria's Ecoplus International Celebrates 10 Years and 1500 Executed Projects

The EU's eastward enlargement brought Lower Austria into the center of a new, dynamic economic area. In order to make use of the chances which emerged for the lower Austrian economy, Ecoplus International GmbH in cooperation with the Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien was set up. 10 years later the subsidiary has already overseen 1500 projects.
October 16, 2014


CEE Sovereign Bond Market Among Best Investment Destinations in Europe

The CEE sovereign bonds are among the best investments in Europe this year. High returns and low volatility increase investor appeal. The CEE sovereign bond market is 5th largest in continental Europe. Romania emerges as CEE regional champion among local currency bonds.
October 2, 2014


Mid Europa Partners' New Fund to Invest EUR 800 Mln in CEE

Mid Europa Partners, the British private equity firm focused on buyouts in Central & Eastern Europe, announced the final closing of Mid Europa Fund IV at €800 million, complemented by an additional pre-allocated co-investment program of €650 million. Fund IV represents the largest dedicated fund to the CEE Region raised in the last 5 years.
September 5, 2014


Austrian FDI: Current Developments 1Q 2014

In the first quarter of 2014, Austrian FDI abroad reached a value of 2.8 billion euros, which is less by about 30% than in the same period of 2013. Foreign direct investments in the same period into Austria stood at 1.4 billion euros. This is about 37% less than in the same period of last year.
July 29, 2014


Forecast for CESEE Countries (Webinar)

Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) have been strongly affected by the economic crisis. However now there are signs of an improving economic climate and growth rates will again be above the EU average. The current situation in the Ukraine and potential difficulties between the EU and Russia constitute a downside risk.
June 24, 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


“Romania Can Never Become the China of Europe”

Stabilization in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is becoming stronger. However, the political crisis in Ukraine is causing a feeling of insecurity among the population.
May 15, 2014


South Korean Bank Preparing for Business in CEE

Shinhan Bank, one of the largest banks in the South Korea, will open branches in Poland.
May 12, 2014


CEE: Surge in Sales for French Lafarge

The French building material group Lafarge saw a strong increase in sales in Romania and Eastern Europe in general.
May 9, 2014


German Retailer Metro Faces Massive Losses in CEE

Sales in CEE declined 14.8 percent last year for German retail and wholesale enterprise Metro Group.
May 9, 2014


Bank Austria: “Russia is Still Profitable”

According to Vice CEO of Bank Austria and head of business operations in CEE Gianni Franco Papa, business in Russia is not yet affected by the political crisis in Crimea.
May 2, 2014


Immofinanz: Changes at Executive Board

Immofinanz – Dietmar Reindl appointed to the Executive Board
April 30, 2014


EU Enlargement: A Success Story for Central Europe

Austria is one of the main beneficiaries of the EU enlargement of 2004.
April 30, 2014


Erste Group: Dramatic Profit Decline Stayed Away

Net profits amounted to EUR 103.3 million. Erste Group aims to keep profits stable in the near future.
April 30, 2014


Austrian Banking Sector Making Losses

For the first time in 2013, the Austrian banks made losses in the amount of € 1.035bn.
April 29, 2014


Romania: Huge Increase in Commercial Real Estate Investments

Investments in commercial real estates rose by 256 percent year-on-year in Romania. However, investments in CEE declined.
April 18, 2014


S&P Upgrades Polish Banking Sector

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the Polish banking sector from “negative” to “stable”.
April 16, 2014


S IMMO AG: Letting success in Sofia

The first quarter of 2014 brought encouraging successes in letting for S IMMO AG in Sofia, one of the company’s most challenging markets.
April 9, 2014


RBI Awarded Best Bank in CEE Once Again

Global Finance Awards: RBI again “Best Bank in CEE”.
April 7, 2014


RBI to Shut Down Affiliates on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raffeisen Bank International (RBI) is closing all its affiliate on Crimea until mid-April.
April 7, 2014


Hungary: OTP Approaches Acquisition of MKB

MKB, the Hungarian loss-making affiliate of German regional lender BayernLB, is approaching its acquisition by the biggest lender OTP.
April 3, 2014


CEE: Economy Could Become More Vulnerable to Crimea Crisis

If the political crisis in Crimea aggravates negative effects in the economy could soon become evident.
April 2, 2014


Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps

International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014
March 31, 2014


Austria: Economic Growth Slowly Getting in Gear

Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) projects economic growth in Austria to revive again only at the end of this year.
March 27, 2014


Low Inflation Still No Threat to CEE

Currencies in CEE should not be affected by low inflation, according to Erste Group.
March 19, 2014


CEE: Investments to Boost Economic Growth

In the coming two years economic growth in Eastern Europe is expected to accelerate to an average of two to three percent of GDP triggered by a boost in investments.
March 13, 2014


Poland: “Time for Belt-Tightening”

Poland is required to cut the deficit in the public finance sector.
March 13, 2014


Bank Austria to Focus on Growth Markets in the Future

Because of the high value of write-offs Bank Austria, CEE affiliate of Italian UniCredit, had to face record losses amounting to € 1.6bn. CEO Willibald Cernko, however, does not consider the bank having made any mistakes in the past.
March 12, 2014


Losses Running into the Billions for Bank Austria

Bank Austria’s results for the 2013 financial year.
March 11, 2014


Polish Financial Market Proves Strong

The financial market in Poland is resistant towards negative impacts resulting from the current political crisis in neighbor country Ukraine.
March 5, 2014


Poland: Banks Expected to Preserve Ratings

According to US rating agency Standard&Poor;’s, Polish banks will be able to keep their credit ratings this year.
March 4, 2014


Erste Group: Profits Decline

Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 61.0 million in 2013 and improves capital ratios.
February 28, 2014


Austrian Banks with Significant Exposure in Ukraine

Ukrainian crisis hits Western Banks in different state compared to 2008/09, according to RBI.
February 27, 2014


Poland: Fastest Growing Economy in EU

According to the EU Commission, Poland will see the fastest growth in 2014 among the largest former communist countries of the European Union.
February 26, 2014


Austria: Wifo Projects Gloomy Economic Outlook

A restrained economic growth, high unemployment rate and measures for the consolidation of the state budget are the factors which affect the economic development on a medium-term.
February 21, 2014


CEE Financial Markets under Pressure as Riots Continue in Ukraine

CEE markets under pressure as Ukraine violence heats up. Biggest direct risk to Polish Zloty, but also to Hungarian Forint and Romanian Leu.
February 21, 2014


Austria Most Popular Country among Hungarians

93 percent of Hungarians feel compassion towards Austria.
February 19, 2014


Erste: CEE Financial Market Not Concerned by Low Inflation

Low inflation will not change CEE market forecasts, according to Erste Group.
February 18, 2014


Nowotny: Negative Interest Rate Conveys Feeling of Crisis

Ewald Nowotny, member of the Council of the ECB (European Central Bank) and governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), expressed his rejection regarding a possible negative interest rate for banks.
February 18, 2014


Erste Group: Net Results Below Expectations

Erste Group provides business update for 2013: Improvement in risk costs is outweighed by one-off items and tax effects, impacting net profit
February 11, 2014


Ukraine: Tough Market for Foreign Banks

The coming two years will be challenging for foreign banks operating in Ukraine.
February 11, 2014


Vienna Insurance Group Shines in the Czech Republic

VIG continues to expand its market leadership in its largest CEE market.
February 11, 2014


CEE: Still Growth Market in Real Estate Sector

The region is still a growth market in the real estate sector even after the crisis. However, the legal situation in some CEE countries can be a pitfall to real estate companies.
February 10, 2014


Ukraine: RBI Examines Offers

Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has received a total of twelve offers for its Ukranian affiliate.
February 10, 2014


Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 2014


Uniqa Kosovo Grows Twice as Quickly as Market

Premium volume up 22.9 per cent in the first nine months of 2013. Non-life grows twice as quickly as the market
January 30, 2014


VSE and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange to Intensify Cooperations

Vienna Stock Exchange (VSE) and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange intensify cooperation – joint data vending agreed.
January 30, 2014


S&P to Establish CEE Center in Poland

Warsaw will be the new CEE focal point of Standard&Poor;’s (S&P) as the US rating agency announced establishing an office in Warsaw.
January 29, 2014