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Hungary
Hungarian Construction Industry Shrinks
In August 2012, construction decreased by 5.3% in output year-on-year. The construction of buildings decreased by one tenth, while that of civil engineering works grew slightly.
October 15, 2012
Orban Blames EU for Austerity Cuts
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban explains that Hungary has no other choice but to deepen the austerity cuts.
October 13, 2012
Hungary: Industrial Production Declines Slightly
In August 2012, industrial gross output declined by 0.8% compared to the same month of 2011.
October 12, 2012
Stepic: “Must Reduce Lending in CESEE”
The CEO of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) Herbert Stepic explains that new lending in Eastern Europe must be reduced substantially.
October 11, 2012
S&P: Eastern Subsidiaries of Austrian Banks Most Become More Independent
The U.S. rating agency criticizes that Austrian banks are still weakly capitalized. The economic crisis caused a massive withdrawal of funds in Eastern Europe, S&P says.
October 11, 2012
Orban Rejects Joining Eurozone
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thinks that the introduction of the euro in Hungary would be “irresponsible”.
October 10, 2012
Small Growth in Hungarian Foreign Trade
From January to August 2012, the Hungarian export value rose by 2%.
October 9, 2012
Hungarians Highly Dissatisfied with Economic Situation
According to a survey of the opinion research institute, 46% of the interviewees view their situation as “bad”.
October 9, 2012
Hungary Not A focus of commercial Real Estate Investors
The risk appetite of real estate investors is still subdued. Hungary’s default risk remains relatively high.
October 9, 2012
Erste Group to Sell Ukrainian Subsidiary
This year, the Austrian bank plans to sell its Ukrainian business segment. Erste Group entered the Ukraine in 2006.
October 8, 2012
Hungarian Retail Sector Struggling on Several Fronts
The recession in Hungary is also affecting the Hungarian retail sector. A weak labour market combined with declining purchasing power is dampening consumer spending, a development which is reflected in weak retail sales.
October 8, 2012
Hungary: Residential Housing Market at a Standstill
According to Bank Austria, the Hungarian housing market has reached a historic low.
October 8, 2012
Hungary: Vacancy Rates in Office Market Remain High
Despite record low in new building activity, the Hungarian office market proves stable.
October 6, 2012
Hungarian Economy Still Shows Weakness
The country´s economic growth remains low, public debt leaves no leeway for fiscal policies. A high level of foreign debt remains a significant weakness of the Hungarian economy.
October 6, 2012
New Austerity Package in Hungary
In order to cut the budget defict below 3.0% of GDP in 2013, the Hungarian government plans further cuts and tax increases.
October 5, 2012
CEE Countries Must Work Upon Economic Convergence
CEE countries are struggling with weaker external demand and uncertain consumers, whereas in most cases fiscal policy is under control. Labour productivity, costs and competitiveness of CEE region give reason for optimism.
October 5, 2012
Hungary Must Lower Budget Deficit
The Hungarian National Bank puts pressure on the government to lower the budget deficit. By contrast, the government has widened the budget target to 2.8% instead.
October 4, 2012
Nine Prime Minister Discuss EU Budget in Bratislava
The Prime Ministers of nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe will meet in the Slovak capital on October 5.
October 3, 2012
Hungarian Budget Deficit Growing Quickly
According to preliminary data the deficit of the general government sector in the first half of 2012 was HUF 393 billion, 2.8% of GDP. Although the deficit is smaller than last year, the 2012 target will not be met.
October 2, 2012
Hungarian Unemployment Quota Down
In June–August 2012, the number of unemployed people was 456 thousand resulting in an unemployment rate of 10.4%.
October 1, 2012
RBI: Poland Shows Stability
In Poland, Raiffeisen Bank International´s NPL ratio comes at 8%. By contrast, Ukraine and Poland are much more problematic.
October 1, 2012
Raiffeisen: CEE Network to be Closed
Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) announces that the expansion in Central and Eastern Europe will be concluded soon.
October 1, 2012
Hungary: Budget Targets Endangered to Fail
In August, Hungary´s budget deficit has almost reached the full year´s level. Analysts doubt whether Hungary may achieve a 2.5% budget deficit this year.
October 1, 2012
Hungary Prohibits Slot Machines
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the national security would be endangered.
October 1, 2012
CEE Equity: RBI Cautiously Optimistic
RBI forecasts a slight increase in yields for Poland, Hungary, Russia and the Czech Republic. Austrian ATX should grow moderately in the next 12 months.
September 28, 2012
CEE Remains Europe’s Growth engine Despite Slow-Down
CEE with 2012 GDP growth of 2.4 per cent – GDP in Eurozone to shrink to minus 0.5 per cent in 2012 . In terms of reforms, CEE tops Eurozone peripherals
September 28, 2012
Czech National Bank Expects More Interest Rate Cuts
The governor of the Czech National Bank Miroslav Singer explained that the monetary easing program will continue.
September 27, 2012
Hungary: Simor Criticizes Interest Cut
The governor of Hungary´s National Bank Andras Simor warns of an increase in inflation.
September 26, 2012
Hungary „Still Obtains Funding from the Financial Market“
Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Hungarian ambassador in Vienna, emphasized that Hungary is not dependent on the IMF loan. The IMF urges Hungary to reduce its bureaucracy, he says.
September 26, 2012
MOL Announces Massive Investments in Hungary
The Hungarian oil group plans to make investments of € 1.1bn in the next three years.
September 25, 2012
Public Debt: New EU Members Are More Flexible
Compared to old EU member states, the new member states have more fiscal leeway to overcome the crisis.
September 24, 2012
Slight Decrease in Industrial Production in Hungary
In July, the industrial production was down by 0.3% compared to July 2011. In Austria, industrial production was up by 2.0%.
September 24, 2012
EU: Germany Biggest Net Payer, Poland Biggest Net Recipient
In 2011, Poland received EU-aids of € 11bn. Among the new EU members, Hungary ranks second. In terms of GDP, Hungary is the biggest beneficiary.
September 21, 2012
Hungary Revises GDP Forecasts
Initially, the Hungarian government forecasted a GDP growth rate of 0.1% this year. Now, State Secretary Gyula Pleschinger explained that Hungary´s economy will shrink this year.
September 20, 2012
Hungary: Real Income Falls Further
In the first seven months of 2012, the Hungarian real income was down by 4%.
September 19, 2012
IMF-Loan: Orban Demonstrates Optimism
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the negotiations with IMF are proceeding on schedule.
September 18, 2012
Strong Increase in Hourly Labor Costs in Hungary and Romania
Second quarter 2012 compared with second quarter 2011: Euro area hourly labour costs rose by 1.6% and by 1.8% in EU27.
September 17, 2012
Hungary Becomes Tax Haven for Czech and Slovak Enterprises
In the last three years, the number of Czech enterprises with head office in Hungary was up by 41%.
September 15, 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
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
Infringement Proceedings Against Hungary?
The Commission of the European Union is said to start infringement proceedings against Hungary because of the introduction of financial transaction taxes.
September 13, 2012
Spar Records Losses in Hungary
The Austrian retail chain operates 400 branches in Hungary. The economic crisis caused substantial losses.
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
Orban to Visit Germany
In October, Hungary´s Prime Minister will be on an official state visit in Berlin in October.
September 12, 2012
INA Underlines Interest in OMV´s Petrol Stations
The Croatian oil group wants to take over the petrol station business of Austrian OMV in Croatia and Bosnia.
September 12, 2012
Hungary: Bank Tax Intake Lower than Expected
The bank tax proceeds only reach 40% of the planned volume.
September 10, 2012
Hungary: Orban Rejects IMF´s Conditions
This week, a list containing IMF´s conditions for a € 15bn loan became public. However, it is not known whether the list is a counterfeit. Not at this price and not in this way.” Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
September 8, 2012
Takeover of OMV´s Petrol Stations: INA Faces Legal Restrictions
The Austrian OMV Group plans to withdraw from Croatia and Bosnia. The Croatian subsidiary of MOL is interest in OMV´s petrol stations, but may face legal restrictions from a competition law point of view.
September 7, 2012
IMF: List of Demands against Hungary Became Public
The list contains demands of the IMF against Hungary and is the precondition for the safety loan of € 20bn. However, the list could be a counterfeit.
September 7, 2012
New Airline for Hungary?
After the insolvency of Malev in March 2012, the Hungarian government is said to promote a new airline.
September 6, 2012