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Economic Growth
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
Investment in Czech Republic Still Below Pre-Crisis Level
The global financial crisis, which originated in the USA in 2007 also hit the Czech Republic quite hard despite the fact that neither its internal nor external imbalances were excessive, the Czech Central bank stated.
August 24, 2012
Croatian Unemployment Rate Reaches 17.5%
In July 2012, the Croatian unemployment rate was up by 0.2 percentage points to 17.5%.
August 23, 2012
Lithuania Suffers From Crisis in Eurozone
The Baltic country has to lower GDP growth forecasts. As foreign trade grows not as fast as expected, the Bank of Lithuania becomes more cautious. This year, Lithuania´s GDP is expected to grow by 3.0%.
August 22, 2012
Bulgaria Installs Debt Brake
The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance prepared a new Public Finances Act. The budget deficit must not exceed 2.0% of GDP.
August 22, 2012
Croatia: Non-Performing Loans on the Rise
Almost one out of seven loans is classified as “non-performing.” A further aggravation is rather likely.
August 22, 2012
Czech VAT to Increase
In order to increase public revenues, the Czech government may increase value added taxes.
August 21, 2012
Hungary´s Public Debt Decreasing
Due to the weak euro, Hungary´s public debt quota decreased by 1.3% percentage points within only one quarter.
August 20, 2012
Poland Does Not Expect Recession in 2013
The Polish Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski explained that the Polish economy will grow by 2.5% this year.
August 18, 2012
Austrian Economy to Stagnate
Domestic economy set to stagnate in the third quarter – chances of a slight upswing towards the end of 2012. Thanks to a good first half of the year, economic growth will come in at around 1 per cent in 2012.
August 18, 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
Poland´s Deficit Target in Danger
The Polish government may fail the 3.0% deficit target in 2012. Above all, the economic slowdown is a risk factor.
August 17, 2012
Solid Growth in 2012 Ahead
2011 was a record year for exports – and the first quarter of 2012 has seen the Austrian economy growing yet again. Thus, Austria is significantly below the performance of the Eurozone.
August 16, 2012
Croatian Banks Record Lower Profits
In the first six months of 2012, the net income generated by Croatian banks was down by 19%. The Croatian economy is expected to shrink this year.
August 16, 2012
Hungary Faces Recession Again
In the second quarter of 2012, Hungary´s GDP was dwon by 0.2%. The decrease in exports is the main reason.
August 16, 2012
Austria Faces No Recession Yet
According to a flash estimate for the second quarter of 2012, the Euro area and EU27 GDP was down by 0.2%.
August 14, 2012
Crisis in European Union Weakens Austria
The economic crisis in the Eurozone is a major burden for the Austrian economy. The real economy begins to weaken.
August 9, 2012