Sponsored Content
Public Debt
Slovenia „No Problem for Austrian Banks“
Although Austria is the biggest investor in Slovenia, the Austrian banking industry does not fear a national bankruptcy.
September 5, 2012
World Economic Forum: Austrian Competitiveness Moves Up
In the World Economic Forum Competitiveness Ranking, Austria ranks 16th and could move up three places. The public debt quota, the tax quota and the investor protection are the main weaknesses of Austria.
September 5, 2012
Slovakia Records Growing Current Account Surplus
In the first five months of 2012, Slovakia´s current account surplus reached € 1.24bn. Against the reference period of 2011, this is an increase by € 350m.
September 4, 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
Slovakia: Budget Deficit Reached € 2.67bn
In August, Slovakia´s budget shortfall increased to € 2.675bn from € 2.239bn in July.
September 4, 2012
Slovenia: “Danger for Austrian Banks is Limited”
Although Austria would be most affected by a Slovenian national bankruptcy, the likeliness of this scenario is rather low, analysts say.
September 3, 2012
Downward Trend in Austrian Industrial Sector Accelerates
Due to the crisis in the Eurozone, the downward trend in Austria accelerates.
September 3, 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
Bank Union: Austrian Banking Industry Cautious
European Forum Alpbach: In mid-September, the EU Commission will present its plans regarding the bank union. The bank union should not be implemented too fast, the Austrian Financial Market Authority says.
September 1, 2012
Capital Shortfall at Hypo Group up to € 2.0bn
OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) will publish the capital shortfall at the end of September and emphasizes not to submit to the government´s pressure.
September 1, 2012
Fekter: „Spain is No Bail-Out Candidate“
Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter says that only Spain´s banks may need help from the EU.
August 31, 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
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
Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 2)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logics of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.
August 30, 2012
Debt Crisis: “Somebody Will Have to Pay”
European Forum Alpbach 2012: Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group thinks that the internationalization of the banking industry cannot be reversed. According to Treichl, the European citizens will have to pay for the crisis.
August 30, 2012
Austrian Budget Targets “Will be Met”
According to Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter, Austria´s budget deficit will be below 3.0% of GDP. “Our domestic fiscal position is very strong now”. she underlines.
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
Education: Vranitzky Shows Dissatisfaction with Austrian Government
The former Austrian Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky criticizes the Austrian government sharply. For him, the university sector is a “very bad example of inequality between the generations”.
August 29, 2012
FPÖ´s Strache Calls for Leaving Eurozone
Heinz-Christian Strache, chairman of the Austrian oppositional freedom party (FPÖ), suggests an Austrian exit.
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
Austrian Guarantees Total € 80bn
In the worst case, Austria´s public debt quota may increase up to 100%, the Austrian opposition warns.
August 27, 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
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
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
Czech VAT to Increase
In order to increase public revenues, the Czech government may increase value added taxes.
August 21, 2012
Slovakia Aims to Lower Budget Deficit Below 3.0% of GDP
The Slovakian government presented the draft state budget for 2013. The budget deficit should not exceed 2.9% of GDP, the Finance Ministry announced.
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
Great Demand for Polish Sovereign Bonds
Last week, the interest rate on Polish sovereign bonds fell to a all-time low of four percent. However, a trend reversal is not unlikely.
August 18, 2012
Does the Euro Collapse Now? (Part 2)
The nervousness among Europe´s leaders is growing. Not only Finland warns of a breakdown.
August 18, 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
Does the Euro Collapse Now? (Part 1)
The nervousness among Europe´s leaders is growing. Not only Finland warns of a breakdown.
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
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
Slovakia Fights Against Budget Deficit
In order to comply with the EU Stability Pact, Slovakia needs to cut public expenses by € 630m.
August 16, 2012
Slovenia to Establish a Bad Bank
The Slovenian government wants to support the financially stricken banking sector. Risky assets should be outsourced to separate banks.
August 14, 2012
Croatia: Crisis Sharpens
The Croatian recession seems to continue. Consumption falls further, unemployment continues to rise.
August 7, 2012
Serbia: Struggle for Central Bank Sharpens
After the resignation of governor Dejan Soskic, the EU warns Serbia of abolishing the independence of the Serbian Central Bank.
August 6, 2012
Moody´s Downgrades Slovenia
Today, the U.S. rating agency has downgraded the Western Balkan country by three notches to „Baa2“ from „A2“.
August 3, 2012
Budget Crisis: Serbia to Reduce Foreign Exchange Reserves
In order to mend Serbia´s budget hole, the government plans to amend the Central Bank law.
August 2, 2012
Hungary: Slow Progress in Talks with IMF
The negotiations with IMF about a € 15bn loan will be resumed in September. According to economists, a final agreement is highly uncertain.
August 1, 2012
Austria: Guarantees Reach Half of Public Debt
Among EU members, only Ireland has more guarantees as a percentage of GDP.
July 30, 2012
Slovenian Banking Crisis Aggravates
This week, the rating agency Moody´s downgrades the three biggest banks of Slovenia. Slovenia is threatened of becoming a bail-out candidate.
July 27, 2012
IHS: Austria Grows Faster Than Eurozone
The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies expects an average economic growth of 1.7% until 2017.
July 26, 2012
Poland as CESEE´s Locomotive
This year, the CESEE region should record a growth rate of 1.7%. However, the situation is highly different.
July 25, 2012
Rising Serbian Budget Deficit Causes Worries
This year, Serbia has to borrow € 4.2bn. A budget deficit of € 300m is forecasted in 2012.
July 24, 2012
Aiginger: „Feeding Banks Makes No Sense“
The director of WIFO (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) thinks that Spanish banks must be able to become insolvent.
July 24, 2012