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Nowotny: Negative Interest Rate Conveys Feeling of Crisis
Ewald Nowotny, member of the Council of the ECB (European Central Bank) and governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), expressed his rejection regarding a possible negative interest rate for banks.
February 18, 2014
Austria: Economic Upturn Still in Standby-Mode
According to the analysis of the economic indicator of Bank Austria, there is moderate growth and hope for the first quarter in 2014.
February 17, 2014
Slovenia: Heading for Recovery
Slovenia seems to have circumnavigated the crisis as the small country is not a Eurozone bail-out candidate anymore, according to Prime Minister Bratusek.
February 17, 2014
Fitch Keeps Polish Sovereign Rating Unchanged
The U.S. rating agency has reassessed Poland´s sovereign debt rating.
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
Austria: Economic Growth Accelerates
In the fourth quarter in 2013 GDP increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter and by 0.9 percent year-on-year.
February 14, 2014
Serbia: FDI of Great Importance for Economy
According to Deputy Prime Minister Vucic, the country’s biggest problem was the rate debt rate and fiscal deficit.
February 14, 2014
Improving Situation in Slovenia
Banka Slovenije points out that the finance industry was negatively affected by provisions and write-offs. However, the situation seems to be improving.
February 13, 2014
Singer: “Forex Interventions Were Right Measures”
Miroslav Singer, Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), considers the forex intervention and the weakening of the Czech Crown as the right measures in the light of the most recent inflation figures.
February 13, 2014
Serbia: FDI for Sustainable Growth
Serbia needs FDI in the amount of € 2bn at least to stimulate sustainable growth, according to experts.
February 12, 2014
Wifo: Recovery Continues
Early indicators by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (Wifo) point to a gradual recovery of the economy both in the European Union and in Austria.
February 11, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth to Speed Up
According to the Economy Ministry’s forecast, economic growth is supposed to come at 3 percent of GDP year-on-year this year. Inflation, on the other, is expected to come at 2 percent.
February 10, 2014
Czech Republic: CNB Demonstrates Optimism
The Czech National Bank has revised the economic outlook. Domestic demand remains is expected to remain weak.
February 7, 2014
Standard & Poor´s Underlines Poland´s Economic Robustness
The U.S. rating agency S&P keeps Poland´s sovereign debt rating unchanged. The outlook remains stable.
February 7, 2014
Croatia: Optimism Despite Difficult Frame Conditions
After six consecutive years of negative growth rates, Croatia´s economy is still far away from a recovery. Nevertheless, Croatian entrepreneurs are relatively optimistic.
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
Poland: Interest Rate Remains Unchanged
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has kept the reference rate stable at 2.50%. As the zloty has begun to weaken, the pressure on NBP is growing.
February 6, 2014 · Updated: February 6, 2014; 10:24
Romania Reaches Agreement With IMF
Romania has met the criteria to receive a stand-by agreement by the International Monetary Fund.
February 5, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth to Accelerate Further
Today, the U.S. rating agency Fitch has revised its economic forecast.
February 5, 2014
Czech Republic: Rusnok to Become CNB Board Member
Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint former Czech prime minister Jiri Rusnok as new board member of the Czech National Bank.
February 4, 2014
Criticism of Croatia´s Fiscal Policy
Next year, Croatia´s government wants to comply with the EU fiscal rules. According to economists, this aim is not realistic.
February 4, 2014
IMF: Bulgaria May Reach European Standards in 40 Years
According to the International Monetary Fund, the poorest EU member faces a long transition period.
February 4, 2014
Bulgaria: IMF Puts Pressure on Government
The International Monetary Fund demands Bulgaria´s government to accelerate economic reforms.
February 3, 2014
Bucharest: Fitch Affirms Sovereign Debt Rating
The U.S. rating agency Fitch has kept the long-term issuer default rating at “BBB-“. The outlook remains stable.
February 3, 2014
Poland: Economic Growth in 2013 above Expectations
GDP growth in Poland came at 1.6 percent year-on-year in 2013 which is 0.1 percent above expectations.
January 31, 2014
Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 2014
CESEE: Overtaking Western Europe Not Before 2055
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the transition period of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe will take longer than initially expected.
January 29, 2014
OECD Shows Great Concern over Hungarian Economy
According to the OECD, the country’s recovery from recession will be weak in 2014 and 2015
January 27, 2014
“Croatia Going through Very Difficult Period“
The World Bank calls for structural reforms in the Western Balkan state.
January 27, 2014
Romania´s President Opposes the IMF
Traian Basescu is strictly against imposing an additional tax on fuel. Whether Romania will achieve the budget target is highly uncertain.
January 24, 2014
Croatia: S&P Downgrades Rating
Standard&Poors; has downgraded Croatia’s rating to “BB”. The outloock on the long-term rating for the country is at least “stable”.
January 24, 2014
Austria: OeNB Forecasts Modest Economic Growth
According to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) economic growth in Austria only came at 0.3 percent last year.
January 24, 2014
Survey: CEOs in Romania Most Optimistic
A great majority of CEOs at Romanian enterprises are confident in regard to the economic outlook and growth in 2014.
January 24, 2014
CEE: Economic Sentiment at Lowest Level
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Economic Sentiment Indicator for the CEE at lowest level.
January 24, 2014
Eurozone: Highest Economic Growth in Two Years
The purchase manager index for the private economy increased to 53.2 points up by 1.1 points, as published by Markit research institute on Thursday.
January 23, 2014
CEE: Insolvencies Declining But Larger Effect
The number of insolvencies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is declining. However, the individual insolvencies are becoming larger, as reported by French credit insurer Coface.
January 23, 2014
Poland: Banking Sentiment Rises
The Polish banking sentiment indicator Pengab increased by 1.2 points in January on a month-on-month comparison basis to a total of 27.5 points.
January 23, 2014
CESEE: Recovery Remains Modest
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has published a report on the regional economic prospects. The economic recovery in CESEE remains fragile.
January 23, 2014
Austria: Debt Rate Rises Unstoppably
In the third quarter last year the Austrian public debt rate increased significantly compared to the previous quarter.
January 22, 2014
Slovenian Economy to Shrink “Only” 2 Percent
According to the ERBD’s (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) revision, Slovenia’s economy will shrink “only” 2 percent up from a 2.5 contraction of GDP which was forecast in November.
January 22, 2014
“No Real Wage Loss This Year“
In terms of real wages, Austria may face a trend reversal this year. In Southeastern Europe, by contrast, poverty is growing considerably.
January 21, 2014
Czech Economy to Grow Not Sooner than 2016
The Czech economy will struggle to show economic growth both this and next year, according to the Czech Federation of Trade Unions CMKOS.
January 21, 2014
Serbia: "Kosovo Part of Whole Package"
Serbia hopes to join the union until the year 2020. The solving of the issue with Kosovo remains a key condition. Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz stresses the importance of the region becoming a part of the European Union.
January 21, 2014
Czech Republic: New Government Facing Bumpy Road
The first obstacles for forming a new government seem to have been surmounted – for the time being.
January 21, 2014
Erste Group: Moderate Economic Recovery in Eurozone
Euro area sentiment indicators point to a continuation of the moderate recovery, according to Erste Bank.
January 20, 2014
Kotian: “Growth in CEE is Accelerating“
In an interview with Austrian daily “Wirtschafts-Blatt”, CEE expert at Erste Group, Juraj Kotian, points out that the bond market is expected to see growth supported by the successful reduction of debts and high economic growth.
January 20, 2014
Hungary: Forex Loan Problem to be Solved
According to the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), the problem of the foreign-exchange loans could be solved in the next half year.
January 17, 2014
Croatian Economy Suffers from Low Investor Confidence
In the first nine months of 2013, FDI continued to shrink. However, the FDI will improve gradually, analysts say.
January 16, 2014
S&P: Polish Banks to Remain “Strongly Profitable”
In 2014’s outlook on Polish banks rating agency Standard&Poor; announced that Polish banks are expected to benefit from an ongoing economic recovery and remain “strongly profitable”.
January 15, 2014
Czech Republic: Economic Growth Expected to Expand
The Czech Banking Association (CBA) has adjusted its economic forecast and expects a growth rate of 1.9 percent for the Czech economy this year.
January 14, 2014