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CESEE
Wiiw Forecast: Central and Eastern Europe Remain on Solid Growth Path Despite Trump’s Tariffs
Despite mounting global trade tensions, Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) economies are set to maintain strong growth in 2025, according to the latest Spring Forecast published by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw). The report highlights the region’s resilience in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and broader global uncertainties.
April 29, 2025
Viennese International Economic Institute: Growth in Eastern Europe Weaker than Expected
The Central and Eastern European EU member states recorded weaker economic growth in the first quarter of this year, according to a recent study by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW).
July 6, 2023
Dr. Erhard Busek Deceased: Austria Loses Staunch European and Great Expert on Eastern Europe
The former chairman of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and Eastern Europe expert Eduard Busek has died at the age of 80. He left his mark on Austrian politics and was considered a great advocate of a common Europe.
March 14, 2022
The Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Austria's Economy
The consequences of COVID-19 pandemic continue to determine economic activity in Austria and the banks’ higher resilience has been key to COVID-19 response.
November 29, 2021
Joint Vienna Institute: Patrick Imam Succeeds Holger Flörkemeier
Patrick Imam joined the JVI - Joint Vienna Institute as Deputy Director. Having joined the International Monetary Fund (a party to the Agreement for the Establishment of the JVI) in 2005, he has held positions in the Middle East and Central Asia as well as the African Department (Zimbabwe and Madagascar), the IMF Institute and the Monetary and Capital Markets division. His predecessor Holger Flörkemeier was the JVI Deputy Director for the last four years. On the occasion of his departure, the JVI interviewed him and asked him to share his experience and views on the JVI.
September 28, 2021
What Is the Joint Vienna Institute and What Does It Do?
The Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) is a Vienna based International Organization which provides policy-oriented training primarily to public sector officials from countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, and other selected countries. It has been a hallmark of cooperation between the IMF and Austria for 29 years. Find out how the institute justifies its existence.
July 22, 2021
Paul Lendvai Celebrating His 90th Birthday
The Austrian journalist, author and presenter Paul Lendvai, who was born in Budapest, turned 90. He is considered a knowledgeable authority on Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
August 29, 2019
Danube Region Business Forum - Infrastructure and Its Implications on Business in CEE and SEE
The Danube Region is one of the traditionally important markets for Central European regions and companies. However, the infrastructure of this region does not yet meet the requirements of the economy. The 8th Danube Region Business Forum will take place on 9 October 2018 at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Vienna. The aim of the forum is to ensure that the infrastructural quality and cooperations in the region meet the requirements of the economy.
October 3, 2018
CESEE Outlook: Modest Recovery - EU is Obstacle to Growth – BREXIT Poses Uncertainties
According to the latest prognosis of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, the countries of Central, East and Southeast Europe (CESEE) will have a trend growth rate of up to 3% in the period of 2016-2018. This is 1-1½ percentage points higher than average growth in the eurozone. Consumption will be the main growth driver. The Austrian economy is still benefiting from its economic ties with the region. Direct effects of BREXIT on the region will be limited – indirect effects for the European economy as a whole may be considerable.
June 29, 2016
EBRD Sees Mixed Outlook for CESEE Countries in 2015-16
The outlook for economies in central and south eastern Europe is improving on the back of eurozone monetary easing but prospects further to the east of the transition region have worsened, as the impact of Russia’s recession intensifies.
May 14, 2015
RBI Revises Expected Provisioning Requirement
Vienna based Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) has revised its outlook for the net provisioning requirement for the current financial year to between EUR 1,500 and EUR 1,700 million, primarily due to higher expected risk costs in Ukraine in light of ongoing political tensions in the region.
September 23, 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
FDI in Austria up by EUR 25 Million
In the first half of 2014 the number of international companies setting up business operations in Austria with the assistance of ABA in cooperation with the regional investment promotion agencies climbed from 88 to 114. Total investment volume was up 15.9 % in the first half of 2014 to EUR 179.97 million from EUR 154.33 million in the prior year period.
July 11, 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
High Potential for Austrian Investments in Moldova
Austria is one of the most active countries in the CESEE region ranking first in foreign direct investments (FDI) in many countries.
May 22, 2014 · Updated: May 22, 2014; 13:05
Austria DIY Chain BauMax Avoided Insolvency
Austrian leading DIY chain bauMax announced cost saving programs as part of its restructuring measures in Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. BauMax intends to focus on profitable business locations only.
May 9, 2014
RBI Gets Rid of Public Shareholder
After tough negotiations with the Austrian financial market supervision, the Vienna-listed CESEE lender Raiffeisen Bank International repays about the half of the participation capital.
April 25, 2014
„Brussels Must Reconsider Enlargement Policy“
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz criticized the EU´s approach towards Ukraine. However, the EU has to develop further.
April 25, 2014
Hypo Group: Italian Branch Turns Out a Huge Problem
According to CEO Picker there were more “skeletons in the closet than expected” which led to huge losses for the ailing bank. The Italian network may have to be downsized.
April 17, 2014
Uncertainty in Eastern Europe Makes RBI Nervous
In the last few months, the frame conditions in Russia become more and more unpredictable for foreign investors. For RBI, Russia is the most important market.
April 12, 2014
Bosnian Billionaire to Acquire Hypo Group?
The Finance Ministry confirmed the announcement and is now examining the offer.
April 4, 2014
VBAG: No State Aids in 2014
The restructuring of VBAG Group is supposed to be completed until 2017, as announced by the banking group. From currently 48 regional bank shops in Austria nine regional banks are supposed to remain.
April 3, 2014
VIG: Takeover of Donaris Successful
Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris completed
April 3, 2014
Austrian RBI Under Pressure
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) want Raiffeisen Bank International, the second-biggest lender in CESEE, not to repay the participation capital.
April 2, 2014
Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps
International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014
March 31, 2014
Conwert to Withdraw from CESEE
The Vienna-listed real estate group wants to sell its assets in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The sales proceeds are expected to reach up to € 200m.
March 29, 2014
Austria: VBAG Downgraded to Junk Status
Moody´s has lowered VBAG´s rating. According to the rating agency, the partly nationalized Austrian bank has no investment grade anymore.
March 29, 2014
Austrian Banking Sector Fears New Crisis in Russia
For both Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International, the crisis in Ukraine is an enormous threat. What is more, Russia might develop into a serious danger for foreign banks.
March 8, 2014
VBAG to be completely Nationalized?
According to experts, VBAG is the only Austrian bank which will not pass the stress test. In this case, there are only two alternatives: liquidation or full nationalization.
March 6, 2014
Uniqa: „We Will Not Leave Ukraine“
Andreas Brandstetter, CEO of the Austrian insurance group is “highly satisfied” with the Ukrainian affiliate.
March 1, 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
Picker: Hypo to Cost Taxpayers “Only” up to € 4bn
According to CEO of Hypo Group Alpe Adria Picker, the ailing bank will burden taxpayers with “only“ € 4bn at the most. Head of IHS, Keuschnigg, warns the Austrian policy-makers of forwarding costs to bondholders.
February 19, 2014
Poland: PKO BK Still Wants to Take Over Nordea
PKO BP had to extend the subscription period for the second time.
February 18, 2014
Romania: Fit for Eurozone?
According to estimates by the Romanian government, the country is fit for joining the single currency union.
February 17, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Nowotny Attacks Fekter
Governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny criticizes former Minister of Finance Maria Fekter sharply and blames her for inactivity.
February 15, 2014 · Updated: February 15, 2014; 18:19
Real Estate: Vienna´s Office Market Saturated
In contrast to office markets in CESEE (Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe), the Viennese office market has no major projects in the pipeline. The growth potential is rather limited.
February 15, 2014
Dramatic Capital Outflow in CESEE
The countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe suffer from the dependence on foreign investments. Despite the economic recovery, FDIs are falling persistently.
February 15, 2014
RBI Raises Another € 500m
After the capital increase, the Vienna-listed lender has raised capital in the amount of € 500m. The emission was significantly oversubscribed.
February 13, 2014
Hypo Group: Bad Bank Active at Least 10 Years
Austria’s rating by Standard & Poor’s (“AA+”, stable outlook) is currently not compromised. Because of the establishing of the bad bank the debt rate will rise four to six percent.
February 12, 2014
Bosnia: Protests Go On
After a number of political step-downs, the protests in Bosnia do not come to an end. The protest movements wants to take back controversial privatizations and the state presidium to step down.
February 9, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Sevelda Rejects „Joint Bad Bank“
Karl Sevelda, CEO of Vienna-listed RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International), does not want to become shareholder of the common bad bank for the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
February 9, 2014
Wolf Theiss: „M&A in CESEE Grew Substantially“
The Austrian M&A advisor Wolf Theiss reports that M&A turnover in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) rose by 56% last year.
February 8, 2014
Bosnia: Protest Movement Calls for Revolution
After the most serious riots since the end of the civil war, the violence has stopped for the time being. Nevertheless, the mood is still more than tense.
February 8, 2014 · Updated: February 8, 2014; 13:33
Bosnia: Protests Turn Into Violence
Due to the extremely tense social situation in the Balkan country, first protests turned into violence.
February 7, 2014
“Fragile Recovery in CEE Banking Sector”
According to the U.S. rating agency Fitch, the banking sector in Central and Eastern Europe is highly heterogeneous.
February 6, 2014
Czech National Bank Retains Monetary Strategy
The Czech National Bank keeps the reference rate at the record low and confirms its commitment to continue interventions.
February 6, 2014
CESEE: Stuck in Transition or Just a Break?
Despite all difficulties in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the region remains essential for Austria. The long-term growth potential remains intact.
February 6, 2014 · Updated: February 6, 2014; 13:41
Raiffeisen Bank International: Moody´s Downgrades Ukrainian Subsidiary
Due to the political instability, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating of Aval Bank, the Ukrainian affiliate of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International).
February 5, 2014
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