Economic Growth

Slovenia: Trying to Make a Difference

The crisis measures approved by Brussels are partially starting to make an impact. Since July 1, the higher tax rate of 22 percent is binding. However, the country does much more than just raise taxes.

July 3, 2013

Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected

According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.

July 1, 2013

New Protests Against Government in Bulgaria

Demonstrators demand elections again.

July 1, 2013

Faymann: Croatians Realistic With EU Membership

Austrians have a positive attitude towards Croatia’s new membership.

July 1, 2013

Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period

In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.

June 28, 2013

Austria: WIFO and IHS to Adjust Growth Perspectives Downwards

Experts at the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) and the Institute for Higher Studies (HIS) have significantly cut their prognoses for the growth of domestic economy in 2013. However, both institutes are still optimistic for 2014.

June 28, 2013

Slovenia Likely To Require Bailout

According to Capital Economics Ltd. Slovenia will in all likelyhood ask for a bailout to bolster its ailing banking sector in case the debt crisis in Europe should worsen.

June 28, 2013

Leitl: „Austrian Enterprises Need Further Growth Impulses“

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) commits to budget consolidation but growth is the basis for a balanced state budget.

June 27, 2013

RBI Will Take Its Time With the Repayment of Participation Capital

It is not yet clear when RBI will pay back state participation capital in the amount of € 1.75bn.

June 27, 2013

Mitterlehner: Romania Offers New Chances for Austrian Economy

Austrian Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner met his Romanian counterpart Varujan Vosganian in Vienna.

June 25, 2013

Slovenia Expects Economic Recovery As Soon As 2014

On Saturday, the Slovenian Finance Ministry expressed its confidence that the newly adopted action plan would help stabilize public finances and help gain economic recovery despite of Fitch’s downgrade.

June 24, 2013

Russia: Putin Changes Personnel at Ministry of Economics

In the light of the menancing recession, Russian president Vladimir Putin has reorganized the leaders of economic policy-makers.

June 24, 2013

Mitterlehner: „4,000 New Austrian Exporters Within Two Years“

Internationalization Offensive (IO) “go international” will be prologued until 2015. Economy Minister Mitterlehner and head of the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) Leitl present their main targets for Austrian export.

June 21, 2013

Slovenia’s Economic Outlook to Deteriorate Further

The Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development expects GDP in Slovenia to shrink more than projected earlier.

June 21, 2013

Cyprus Demands Further Capital Aid

In a letter to the European Union, President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades demands further capital support for the Bank of Cyprus, the “Wallstreet Journal” reports. According to him, Cyprus’ economy depended on it.

June 19, 2013

Hungary: Taxes to Be Raised

Shortly before the parliamentary summer recess taxes were raised by the government of Viktor Orban.

June 18, 2013

Austria: „Death Blow for Economy“

The Austrian Economic Association (Wirtschaftsbund) announced that the realization of all demands in the Austrian Trade Unions’ (ÖGB) leading proposal would come at € 21.9bn. The Austrian economy would be burdened with € 14bn.

June 17, 2013

World Bank: EU11 Countries Remain Attractive for Foreign Investors

Despite the slow recovery of economic activity, EU11 countries nonetheless remained attractive for foreign investors.

June 14, 2013

Austria: Wienerberger Alarmed About Shrinking Residential Building

Building material group Wienerberger is alarmed about the declining figure in residential building even though the market is significantly undersupplied with affordable housing space.

June 12, 2013

Ukraine Leaps to Business Deregulation

One of the reform priorities for Ukraine in 2012 has become the deregulation of business activity.

June 11, 2013

Turkey: Police Force Attacks Protesters At Gezi Again

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems ready for talks with representatives of the demonstrators, who will be received by him on Wednesday. However, earlier he has demonstrated inexorable hardness.

June 11, 2013

Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.

June 11, 2013

Moody’s: Rate Cuts Credit-Negative for Polish Banks

The recently passed cut in interest rates by Poland’s Monetary Policy Council has a negative effect on credits for Polish banks, rating agency Moody’s announced.

June 11, 2013

Fekter: The North Feeds The South

Finance Minister Fekter compares the situation in Europe with the economic circumstances in Italy.

June 11, 2013

Moody's: Overall Fiscal Situation In CEE Is Improving

Because of austerity measures in most of the countries, the economic situation is slowly but steadily improving.However, the latest competitiveness report pains a bleak picture of the future.

June 7, 2013

Poland: Base Rate Down to Record Low

Poland’s Monetary Council has cut the base rate to 2.75 percent.

June 6, 2013

Papa: CEESE To Keep Growth Advantage

Deputy CEO of Bank Austria Papa sees a long-term potential in CESEE countries. Bank Austria is expecting a growing credit business apart from the favorable economic outlook in the region.

June 6, 2013

Slovenia: Commission’s Target to Be Achieved in September

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Gregor Virant announced that Slovenia will achieve the EU Commission’s aim for approving more budget cuts by the end of September to avoid international bailout.

June 6, 2013

Oresharski: Things Were Never So Bad in Bulgaria

One week after assuming office, Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski announced that the social and economic situation in the country has reached an all-time low.

June 5, 2013

Austria: Leitl Welcomes Latvia to Join Eurozone

Head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Leitl considers the Euro adoption as an important political signal for the cooperation and the strengthening of the European currency union.

June 5, 2013

Croatia to Expect Disciplinary Procedure by EU

The Ex-Yugoslavian country has to face harder scrutinizing than its CESEE peers which joined the EU in the last decade.

June 5, 2013

Latvia: Euro to Be Introduced 2014

Latvia will be able introduce the Euro on January 1 2014. According to diplomats, this is what the EU Commission will recommend on Wednesday in Brussels.

June 4, 2013

Lopatka: "Visa Cooperation Reinforces Mutual Ties Between Austria and the Czech Republic"

Austrian State-Secretary on the signing of a new agreement and working meetings in Prague.

June 4, 2013

Significant Trade Surplus in 2012 Reflects Austria's Competitive Strength

Despite the crisis, Austria managed to achieve a significant trade surplus in services in 2012. At the same time it was possible to eliminate Austria's foreign debt in full.

June 4, 2013

Romania: Erste Forecasts Economic Growth at 1.8 Percent

Erste keeps Romania's economic growth forecast for 2013 unchanged at 1.8 %.

June 3, 2013

Austria: Unemployment Rose By 9.5 Percent

In total, 330,309 persons were looking for a job in May. Austria still has the lowest unemployment rate within the European Union.

June 3, 2013

Czech Repubic to Restrict Budget Cuts

To boost domestic economy, the Finance Ministry announced to temporarily restrict budget cuts.

May 31, 2013

Leitl: „There Is No More Time To Waste“

Switzerland and Sweden pull away from the rest of the European countries in regard to international competitiveness, according to the latest IMD report, while Austria has been falling behind.

May 31, 2013

World Competitive Ranking: Austria Loses 7 Ranks

The World Competitive Ranking of Lausanne IMD Private School of Economics has become one of the most significant location comparisons on an international basis in the last 25 years.

May 29, 2013

Commission to Publish Reform Recommendations

24 countries, among them Austria, will receive recommendations for reforms by the EU Commission.

May 28, 2013

Turkey: Next Step Towards EU

According to Reuters, Turkey can now hope for its long-awaited next step towards an EU entry in June. France has lifted its opposition to the country’s EU Accession talks. Experts point out the great economic potential the country offers.

May 28, 2013

Croatia: PM Anxious About Country’s Image

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that Croatia had to fight hard for its reputation within the European Union.

May 27, 2013

Turkey Wants FTA with US

Turkey is eager for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S.

May 24, 2013

Slovenia: Fiscal Rule to Be Introduced in 2015

Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.

May 23, 2013

IMF Recommends Czech Government to Reduce Budget Cuts

With worse-than-expected current economic circumstances the IMF recommends the Czech Republic to moderate budget cuts.

May 22, 2013

Leitl: „EU Has To Deliver Clear Confession to Business Location Europe”

According to Leitl, the EU Summit has to deliver a “clear confession to business and industrial location” Europe.

May 22, 2013

Polish Government Passes Job Protection Law

On Tuesday, the Polish government adopted the Labor Minister's document on measures directed to protect employees and businesses during economic downturn, the government press office said.

May 22, 2013

Slovenia Taking Drastic Measures

NLB plans to cut workforce by 20 percent. The Slovenian government signed an agreement with unions to cut wage costs and is discussing to raise VAT. The country is hoping for € 1bn for the selling of state-owned enterprises.

May 22, 2013

World Economic Forum on East Asia 2013

Courageous transformation for inclusion and integration. Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 5-7 June 2013.

May 21, 2013

Serbia Considering Loan Agreement With IMF

Serbia is considering discussing a possible IMF loan after EU entry talks are agreed on. German Finance Minister Guido Westerwelle announced his support in Serbia’s path to an EU membership.

May 21, 2013
Fast News Search