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Fiscal Policy
Poland´s Budget Gap Narrows
The Polish government has approved the final budget draft for 2014.
October 1, 2013
Hypo Group: Sale of Assets in SEE to Take Forms
The nationalized Austrian bank Hypo Group sells its assets in Southeastern Europe. The SEE-holding company will be established until the beginning of October.
September 29, 2013
Poland: Pension Scheme Reform to be Eased
At the beginning of September, Poland´s government decided to re-nationalize the pension system. Now, the government considers relativizing the reform.
September 28, 2013
Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent
Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.
September 27, 2013
Slovakia: Economic Upward Trend Supports Fiscal Targets
After six consecutive quarters of economic deceleration, Slovakia faces better economic data. The positive trend helps Slovakia´s government.
September 26, 2013
Croatia: Fiscal Situation Deteriorates Further
Due to the weak economy, the budget gap will increase. The end of the recession is still uncertain.
September 26, 2013
Slovenia: Controversies Over New Budget
Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek links the approval to the austerity budget to a vote of confidence.
September 25, 2013
Croatia to Issue Dollar Bonds
In order to cover its foreign exchange needs, Croatia will issue a dollar bond with a size of $ 2.7bn.
September 24, 2013
Poland: Budget for 2014 Realistic
According to Witold Kozinski, Deputy Govenor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), the budget plan for 2014 is “realistic” and the risk of amendmends to the budget minimal.
September 23, 2013
Austria: Tax Burden Grows
The Austrian public revenue ratio is significantly above the average tax quota in the Eurozone. The upward trend goes on.
September 21, 2013
Fitch: Croatia Cut to Junk Status
Due to the fiscal situation, Fitch cuts the credit rating of the newest EU member country. The economic frame conditions do not leave enough room for reducing the public debt level, Fitch argues.
September 21, 2013
Slovenia: First Budget Surplus in 2013
For the first time this year, Slovenia shows a budget surplus of € 15m. However, the deficit of the first eight months is as high as € 1.3bn, according to data by the Finance Ministry.
September 20, 2013
Croatia: No End of Recession in Sight
For the seventh quarter in a row, Croatia´s GDP was down. The main problem is the weakening domestic consumption and the high unemployment quota.
September 19, 2013
IHS/WIFO: Austrian Hypo Group Needs Bad Bank
Christian Keuschnigg and Karl Aiginger claim that the nationalized Austrian bank should be split into a “good” and a “bad” part. Austria´s public debt would increase substantially.
September 16, 2013
Slovenia: Bankruptcy Without ECB/ESM?
Without external aid, Slovenia will not manage its severe financial crisis, experts say. A bail-out becomes more likely.
September 15, 2013
Austria Must Implement Liquidation Mechanism for Banks
In order to minimize fiscal losses, Austrian problem banks should be liquidates soon, IMF claims. In this case, Austria would not reach its fiscal targets in the next years.
September 13, 2013
Austria: IMF Pushes for Tax Reform
The International Monetary Fund recommends re-considering the tax system. The Austrian wage taxes are too high, IMF criticizes.
September 13, 2013
ECB Worried About Slovenia
The European Central Bank is uncertain whether the financially stricken country will be able to manage its banking crisis.
September 12, 2013
Hypo Group Needs up to € 17bn
The scenarios for the nationalized Austrian banking group become even more pessimistic.
September 12, 2013
IMF: Praise and Criticism for Austria
According to the IMF´s country report, Austria´s main problem is the fiscal situation.
September 11, 2013
Faymann Underlines Necessity of Property Taxes
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ) calls for new taxes. In total, property taxes should bring tax revenues of more than € 2.0bn.
September 9, 2013
Poland: Government Gives Green Light to Budget Draft
The Polish Government has approved the budget plan for 2014 with the deficit gap closing further after a refurbishment of the private pension system.
September 9, 2013
Serbia: Plans to Reform Pension System
Serbia plans reform of pension system by year end.
September 9, 2013
Poland: Re-Nationalization of Pension Scheme
Poland takes back the partial privatization of pension system. The re-nationalization does not affect Poland´s sovereign debt rating.
September 7, 2013
Another Austerity Package in Austria?
Due to the dismal situation of nationalized banks, the economist Christian Keuschnigg anticipates another austerity package after the election at the end of September.
September 6, 2013
Slovenia: Recession Goes On
In the second quarter, Slovenia´s GDP was down by 1.7% year on year. This year, Slovenia´s GDP will fall by 3.0%, economists say.
September 2, 2013
Poland: Economy Begins to Accelerate
In the third quarter of 2013, Poland´s economy will grow by 1.0% year on year.
August 31, 2013
Kapsch: Enormous Problems at Austrian Business Location
President of Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) Georg Kapsch confirms the criticism voiced by President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) Christoph Leitl and several other politicians by the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
August 28, 2013
Czech Republic: Early Vote No Danger for Sovereign Debt Rating
The current instable political situation is no significant risk factor for the Czech rating yet, the U.S. rating agency Fitch says.
August 25, 2013
Fitch Cuts Outlook for Poland
Due to the change in Poland´s fiscal policy, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating outlook for Poland from „positive“ to „stable“.
August 25, 2013
Austria: Fekter Does Not Publish Controversial Industrial Location Study
According to a recent study on the quality of Austria´s industrial location, the number of leaving multinational companies is growing.
August 25, 2013
Turkey: Capital Outflow Endangers Economic Stability
The monetary and economic stability is under enormous pressure. Turkey´s National Bank does not have sufficient reserve to support the Turkish lira.
August 24, 2013
CESEE Faces Economic Recovery
According to Moody´s, the economic outlook for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe is positive. Nevertheless, the recovery is still fragile.
August 24, 2013
Slovenia: Business Organizations Post Wishlist to Government
Slovenian business organizations have forewarded a wishlist to the government in which they request more "breathing room" by the lowering of taxes and measures to enhance development and competitiveness.
August 20, 2013
Ukraine Remains in a Recession for a Year
In the second quarter of 2013 GDP contracted by 1.1 percent on a year-on-year comparison basis.
August 20, 2013
Turkey Wants to Stop Capital Outflow
The Turkish government plans to attract more investors. By lower taxes, foreign capital of Turkish nationals should come back to Turkey.
August 17, 2013
Russia: Stable Outlook, Lower Growth Rates
The rating agency Fitch reiterates the “BBB” rating for Russia. The outlook remains stable. However, Russia´s GDP forecast had to be lowered.
August 17, 2013
Poland´s Economic Growth Accelerates
In the second quarter of 2013, the annual growth rate came at 0.8%. Due to combined monetary and fiscal measures, the outlook is positive.
August 17, 2013
Slovenian PM Convinced Agreement on 2014 Budget Will Be Reached
Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek is convinced an agreement will be reached regarding changes to the 2014 budget
August 13, 2013
Poland: Amendmends in 2013 Budget
Upper house approves law suspending fiscal restraints at 50 percent debt threshold
August 12, 2013
Poland: VAT Receipts Increased 10 Percent
Value added tax (VAT) receipts increase 10 percent year on year.
August 8, 2013
Serbia: Public Debt Grows Unstopped
At end-March 2013, public debt of the Republic of Serbia4 amounted to EUR 19.4 bln, up by EUR 1.7 bln on end-2012.
August 7, 2013
Ukraine: Negotiations with IMF as Last Exit
Seeking for an IMF loan is the last remaining alternative for the financially stricken country.
August 6, 2013
Serbia: Moderate Upward Trend
In the first three months, Serbia´s GDP was up by 0.5%. However, domestic demand is still declining.
August 6, 2013
RBI Considers Withdrawing from Hungary
The Austrian banking group Raiffeisen Bank International wants to focus on other markets. Hungary and Slovenia are shrinking markets, CEO Karl Sevelda says.
August 6, 2013
Austria: Property Distribution Highly Unequal
About 10% of Austria´s population owns 70% of the nation´s wealth. The governing social democrats reaffirm that Austria needs property taxes.
August 5, 2013
Romania Initiates Structural Reforms
In order to receive a precautionary loan from the IMF, Romania´s government will implement a series of reform steps. Above all, Romania starts privatizations again. Romania´s economic outlook continues to brighten.
August 3, 2013
Croatia: Upwsing Depends on Return of Investors
Vedrana Jelusic, head of EBRD Croatia, thinks that Croatia benefits from the joining the EU. Introducing the euro is no issue yet, she told “Wirtschaftsblatt”.
August 3, 2013
Czech Republic: Interest Rates Remain Flat
The Czech National Bank (CNB) holds the base rate at its historical low. In the course of 2014, the Czech economy is expected to recover.
August 2, 2013
S&P: Croatia Downgraded Again
The rating agency puts the outlook on Croatia from „stable“ to „negative“. The rating remains unchanged.
August 2, 2013