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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