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Croatia Wants to Join the Eurozone

In July 2013, Croatia becomes the 28th member of the EU. After the accession, the Croatia should join the Eurozone too, the government says.
September 19, 2012


National Bank of Slovakia Adapts GDP Growth Forecast

According to NBS, the Slovak economic growth is expected to reach 2.7%. This is higher by 0.2 percentage points than NBS forecasted in June.
September 19, 2012


Banking Supervision: Nowotny Warns of Over-Ambition

According to the governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank), it would be dangerous to establish new institutions without a democratic legitimization.
September 18, 2012


Klaus: Czechs Against Banking Union

The Czech President notes that the Czech Republic cannot achieve anything without a recovery of the European economy. However, it would be advantageous to stay outside the Eurozone.
September 18, 2012


Slovak Economic Growth to Slow Down

The Slovak Ministry of Finance cuts the GDP forecast to 2.1% in 2013.
September 18, 2012


„Situation in Slovenia is not so Dramatic“

Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austria´s Central Bank (OeNB) thinks that the economic situation in Slovenia is under control.
September 18, 2012


Bulgarian President Wants to Attract Austrian Investors

On the occasion with a meeting between the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, the Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Lower Austria´s governor Erwin Pröll, Plevneliev underlined the importance of Austrian investors for Bulgaria.
September 17, 2012


Austrian Economy at a Standstill – "But probably not for long"

Bank Austria's Business Indicator sinks to -0.7 points in August, the third decline in a row. 2012 as a whole expected to be up to 1 percent, in spite of stalled economic activity in the second half of the year.
September 17, 2012


Hungarian Central Bank Call for Growth Stimulating Measures

In August, the Hungarian Central Bank cut the base rate by 0.25 percentage points. According to the Council, growth should be supported.
September 15, 2012


Slovakia´s Economy Still Performs Well

In the second quarter of 2012, GDP growth came at 2.8% after 3.0% in the first quarter.
September 15, 2012


Austrian Economy to Stagnate

In the third quarter of 2012, economic growth in Austria will come to zero, Bank Austria says.
September 14, 2012


Croatia´s Fight Against the Recession: More Austerity and Increase in Exports

According to Paul Krugman, the development of Croatia´s economy depends on the performance of the export-oriented industry.
September 14, 2012


Hungarian Central Bank Against Bank Taxes

According to the governor of Hungary´s Central Bank, the bank taxes are causing the lending freeze.
September 14, 2012


„The situation is inconvenient, but not dramatic“

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Kurier, the Austrian Minister of Economics Reinhold Mitterlehner underlines that “we must keep our nerves”.
September 13, 2012


Hungary: Difficult Negotiations with IMF

The relation between Hungary´s Prime Minister and IMF is chronically tensioned. Another delay of the conclusions of the negotiations is likely.
September 12, 2012


Polish Public Debt Quota to Decrease

Although the planned budget deficit will not be met this year, Poland´s Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski expects a declining public debt quota.
September 12, 2012


Austria: Business Atmosphere Aggravates

According to the Austrian Association of Creditors (KSV), domestic enterprises demonstrate skepticism regarding the economic development.
September 11, 2012


Moody´s: Poland Still Has Strong Credit Profile

Despite the economic slowdown, Poland´s credit profile remains robust, Moody´s Assistant Vice President Jaime Reusche told PAP.
September 11, 2012


Slovenia: Juncker Calls for Reforms

The chairman of the euro-group Jean-Claude Juncker warned Slovenia. “The situation is critical, there is no time to lose.”
September 10, 2012


Euro-Crisis Enters Austria

In the second quarter, the Austrian GDP only grew by 0.1%, WIFO says (Austrian Institute of Economic Research). A recession is not excluded anymore.
September 10, 2012


Romania Leaves Recession Behind

In the second quarter, Romania´s GDP was up by 0.5% The construction industry was the driving force.
September 8, 2012


Czech Republic: No VAT Increase

The governing coalition failed in seeking approval by the parliament. In order to lower the budget deficit, the government intended to lift the VAT rates.
September 7, 2012


Serbian Industrial Production Declines

In June, Serbia´s industrial production fell by 4.0% against 2011. The outlook is not promising, RCB says.
September 7, 2012


Polish Central Bank Retains Interest Rate

NBP (National Bank of Poland) kept the base rate at 4.75%. In the last weeks, a cut was discussed.
September 7, 2012


Lithuania´s Rating Confirmed

The rating agency Standard & Poor´s (S&P) kept Lithuania´s sovereign debt rating at BBB.
September 7, 2012


Slovakia: Rising Unemployment Despite 2.8% GDP Growth

In the second quarter of 2012, Slovakia´s GDP moved up by 2.8%. The unemployment rate reached 13.6%.
September 6, 2012


Austrian Growth Above EU Average

Unlike the Eurozone, Austria faces no recession. In the Eurozone, GDP was down by 0.2%.
September 6, 2012


Poland Adapts Austerity Targets

Due to the economic crisis in Europe, the Polish government gives up its aim to reach a budget deficit below 2.2% of GDP.
September 5, 2012


Czech VAT Increase to be Resolved

The Czech government wants to increase the tax intake by € 1.0bn. Economists warn of a deepening of the recession.
September 4, 2012


Slovenian Bankruptcy Would Hit Austria Particularly Hard

Prime Minister Janez Jansa announced that Slovenia may have to declare its national bankruptcy in October. Austria´s share in foreign direct investment made in Slovenia reaches about 50%.
September 3, 2012


IMF: Austria Must Prevent Spillover Effects

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the Article IV consultation with Austria. The Austrian banking sector is “overly ambitious” in the CESEE region, IMF says.
September 3, 2012


Poland as European Logistics Hub

Real estate analysts predict that Poland will become Europe´s logistics hub in 2020.
September 1, 2012


Poland´s Central Bank Dissatisfied with GDP Growth

In the second quarter, Poland grew by 2.4% instead of 3.0%. The Polish Central Bank does not want to postpone quantitative easing measures any longer.
September 1, 2012


Romania Still Shows Weak Growth Rates

“We expect economic recovery to remain sluggish. Weak external demand suggests exports and industry would not offer support to GDP growth. “ RCB (Raiffeisen Centrobank) says.
August 31, 2012


Croatian Crisis Aggravates

For Croatia, the end of the severe recession is not foreseeable. Croatia´s real economy is hit hard, the financial sector suffers from bad loans.
August 31, 2012


Slovenia in a Vicious Circle

Slovenia´s Prime Minister Janez Jansa warns that his country may has to announce its national bankruptcy in October.
August 31, 2012


Nowotny: Austrian Banking Sector “More Boring, but More Stable”

European Forum Alpbach: Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) thinks that banks will fight for deposits in future. In the last years, ECB had to prevent a collapse of the financial system several times.
August 31, 2012


Weak Demand Slows Austrian Industry

Bank Austria's Purchasing Managers' Index drops in August to lowest reading since mid-2009. A growth horizon is no longer in sight. In Austria, a substantial fall in order was observed.
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


Serbian Government Tries Act of Liberation

Serbia´s economy weakens, the outlook is negative. Even a bankruptcy is not excluded anymore.
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


Serbians Push Government for Reforms

The support for an EU membership has fallen below 50%. However, more Serbians call for economic and social reforms.
August 27, 2012


Serbia: Rise in Poverty Expected

The economic crisis in Serbia sharpens. Millions of households are not able to repay their debts.
August 25, 2012


Poland: Unemployment Shrinks

In July, Poland´s unemployment rate was down by 0.1 percentage points, the Polish Central Statistical Office reported.
August 25, 2012


Majority of Poles Against Joining Eurozone

About 58% of the Polish citiczens are against the introduction of the euro, TNS Polska reports. Only 12% think that joining the Eurozone would be good for Poland´s economy.
August 24, 2012


Economic Crisis: Croatians are Pessimistic

According to the Croatian website politika plus, 84% of the Croatians believe that the current economic crisis will sharpen further.
August 24, 2012


Polish Retail Sales Growing Substantially

In July, Polish retail sales increased by 6.9% on the year. In 2012, retail sales are expected to increase by 6.5%.
August 24, 2012


Orban Underlines Success of Hungarian Crisis Management

Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to lower the public debt quota further. Hungary´s recession would be due to the weak Eurozone, he says. Orban forgot to mention some details, however.
August 24, 2012


S&P Confirms Czech Rating

The U.S. rating agency retained the rating for the Rczech Republic.
August 24, 2012