Competitiveness

Voestalpine to Announce Decision on Expansion Into North America

The Austrian steel group plans a major investment in North America. According to voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, the decision will be announced in February.

February 9, 2013

“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.

February 9, 2013

„Croatia Has No Answer to the Crisis“

Economists fear that the economic crisis in Croatia will continue this year. The government does not implement enough reforms, observers say.

February 4, 2013

Moody´s Downgrades Croatia

The U.S. rating agency justifies the downgrade with the “bad economic outlook” and the “inflexible fiscal policy”.

February 2, 2013

Erste Group´s CEO Wants to Create CESEE Stock Exchange

Andreas Treichl, CEO of the Austrian banking group, would like to create an alliance between CEE Stock Exchange Group (CEESEG) and Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE).

January 23, 2013

Eder Reaffirms: „European Industrial Sector Is in Danger“

In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Presse”, voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder criticizes the European industrial policy sharply.

January 21, 2013

Poland: FDI Inflow Increases Decently

Last year, Poland recorded only a small increase in foreign direct investments.

January 17, 2013

Croatia: One Step Closer to the EU

According to their own statements, the Croatian government has fulfilled eight out of ten tasks, which must be finalized until July 2013. However, Croatia´s economic problems are far from being solved.

January 15, 2013

CEE Banking Study 2013: “Banks Rebalance Their Business Models” (1)

The CEE banking sector keeps showing good profitability with revenue margins narrowing but still above Western European levels.

January 15, 2013

Fitch: Austrian Banking Industry Depends on CESEE

According to the U.S. rating agency, the situation of Austrian banks strongly depends on the development in central, east and southeast Europe.

January 14, 2013

Labor Time: Austrians Rank Second in EU

Only employees in the UK record more weekly working hours. On average, the working time came at 41.8 hours per week in Austria.

January 10, 2013

Aiginger Praises and Criticizes Austria´s Economic Policy

Although Austria´s economic situation is relatively satisfying, there is much improvement potential, the economist Karl Aiginger says.

January 5, 2013

Croatia Faces Stagnation

Last year, Croatia´s economy shrank substantially. In 2013, the country will recover, economists say.

January 5, 2013

Nowotny Puts Pressure on Austrian Government

Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants the Austrian government to continue the austerity course.

December 28, 2012

„We Have to Work Longer“

Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) demonstrates optimism.

December 27, 2012

Ukraine: Reform Pressure Grows

Mykola Azarov is reappointed as Prime-minister, facing tough challenges ahead, Raiffeisen Research states.

December 18, 2012

WIFO: South Europe Needs Change in Strategy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) underlines that the austerity policy in South European countries did not help at all.

December 12, 2012

„Eurobonds Are No Solution“

Latvia´s Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis argues that euro-bonds may be implemented at the end of the convergence process.

December 11, 2012

Croatia: EU Scepticism Grows

After German officials considered postponing Croatia´s EU accession, Croats become more critical to the European Union.

December 8, 2012

Slovakia: Flat Tax Replaced New Tax Model

After nine years, Slovakia abolishes the flat tax. Corporate profit tax was increased from 19% to 23%.

December 5, 2012

Vienna Has Highest Life Quality

According to a study of the advisory group Mercer, the Austrian capital is the city with the highest life quality worldwide.

December 4, 2012

Reforms: Weak Performance of Austrian Government

The Brussels-based think-tank “The Lisbon Council” and German Berenberg Bank underline that Austria´s economic situation is still favorable. However, the implementation of reforms slackens.

November 29, 2012

Allianz: Austria´s Economic Position Improves

According to the German insurance group, the economic situation of ten out of 17 Eurozone member countries has worsened. Austria could make up one place.

November 26, 2012

Vienna: General Attractiveness Decreases

The quality of the Viennese business location deteriorates. The high degree of bureaucracy and the high non-wage labor costs are the most problematic issues.

November 16, 2012

Romania: EBRD Presses for More Reforms

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Romania must become more attractive for investors.

November 10, 2012

Austria´s GDP Could be € 27bn Higher

The insufficient infrastructure costs economic growth. According to the “Future Austria Infrastructure Report 2013”, Austria´s economic performance could be substantially better.

November 8, 2012

Vienna: The World's Most Prosperous City

Top place for Austria's capital in the latest UN report - followed by New York, Toronto and London.

November 6, 2012

Prosperity Index: Austria´s Position Worsened

This year, Austria ranks 16. Compared to the last evaluation in 2011, the country has lost two places.

November 2, 2012

World Bank: „Poland is a Growth Engine for Eastern Europe“

According to the “Doing Business Report 2013”, Poland´s competitive position has improved remarkably. Austria was up by two ranks.

October 23, 2012

Austrian Business Location Becomes Less Attractive

The economic sentiment of U.S. companies operating in Austria is decreasing. The high non-wage labor costs are Austria´s biggest problem.

October 17, 2012

EU Wants Austria to Reduce Bureaucracy

The Commission of the EU has presented its concept for the re-industrialization of Europe. Austria is well-positioned, but there is some potential for improvement.

October 13, 2012

Austrian Industry Reaffirms: „We need structural reforms”

The President of IV (Federation of Austrian Industries) Georg Kapsch argues that more justice cannot be achieved with new taxes.

October 13, 2012

Belarus Has Lost an Important Source of Export Revenues

The economic prospects for the Belorussian economy are bad. The ruble will have to devalue. External support will be necessary, the Centre for Eastern Studies says.

October 5, 2012

CEE Countries Must Work Upon Economic Convergence

CEE countries are struggling with weaker external demand and uncertain consumers, whereas in most cases fiscal policy is under control. Labour productivity, costs and competitiveness of CEE region give reason for optimism.

October 5, 2012

Austrian Unit Labor Costs Down

Austrian enterprises become more competitive. Last year, unit labor costs were down by 4%.

September 26, 2012

Kapsch Against Excluding Greece

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) thinks that the Austrian pension system shows a substantial savings potential.

September 10, 2012

World Economic Forum: Slovakia´s Performance Worsens

According to the World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report, Slovakia´s competitiveness slipped again.

September 10, 2012

Merkel and Faymann Reaffirm their Commitment to the Euro

The German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel met her Austrian counterpart Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger in Vienna. It was Merkel´s first state visit in Austria since 2006.

September 8, 2012

World Economic Forum: Austrian Competitiveness Moves Up

In the World Economic Forum Competitiveness Ranking, Austria ranks 16th and could move up three places. The public debt quota, the tax quota and the investor protection are the main weaknesses of Austria.

September 5, 2012

Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 2)

At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logics of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.

August 30, 2012

Faymann Against Breaking Up the Eurozone (Part 1)

At the AlpbachE conomic Symposium 2012, Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann underlines the “advantages of the EU”. Without the euro, Austria would face a dramatic recession, he warns.

August 30, 2012

Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 1)

At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logic of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.

August 30, 2012

Education: Vranitzky Shows Dissatisfaction with Austrian Government

The former Austrian Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky criticizes the Austrian government sharply. For him, the university sector is a “very bad example of inequality between the generations”.

August 29, 2012

Ametsreiter Calls for Activity

On the occasion of the Alpbach Forum 2012, Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter underlined the necessity of implementing reforms in Austria.

August 29, 2012

Kapsch: “We Cannot Risk the Welfare State”

At the Alpbach Meeting, the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) Georg Kapsch underlines the necessity of competition. The

August 28, 2012

Real Income Development: Austrian Central Bank Opposes to UBS

According to OeNB (Austrian Central Bank), real income rose by 12.2% from 2000 to 2010. UBS recently published a study, which reported that the real income fell by 25%.

August 23, 2012

Kapsch Sees Austria´s Main Problem in Education Sector

In the last years, Austria fell behind in all competitive rankings. For the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Georg Kapsch, education is the key factor.

August 22, 2012

IV Emphasizes: „New Taxes Harm Growth and Jobs“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), calls for growth stimulating measures. The industrial sector is the growth engine for Austria, he argues.

August 17, 2012

Lenzing to Expand Further

Lenzing´s CEO explains that the frame conditions for Lenzing are highly satisfying at the moment. However, 2012 will not be another record year.

August 7, 2012

Hungary: Most Foreign Firms from Austria

In Hungary, foreign companies employ 25% of the workforce. However, the share of foreign companies only reaches 3.3%

August 7, 2012
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