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Public Expenses
Austria: State Revenues Increased
In 2013 the Austrian budget deficit came at 1.5 percent of GDP wile public debts increased to 74.5 percent of GDP.
March 31, 2014
Poland to Fulfill EU Commission’s Regulations
According to Polish Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek, Poland will have no difficulties fullfilling the standards set by the European Commission with regard to the budget deficit.
March 27, 2014
Slovenia Looking for New Investors
In an attempt is looking for new investors the small Eurozone member country is starting a series of roadshows in Europe starting from Monday.
March 24, 2014
Slovenia: Exuberant Public Spendings
Public finances in Slovenia have gone wild as only after two months almost half of the total deficit planned for 2014 was spent.
March 20, 2014
Poland: Budget Deficit 2013 Below Target
The Polish budget deficit for 2013 has reached almost 82 percent after it was amended in August.
March 20, 2014
Belka: Poland Should Not Haste into Eurozone
Marek Belka, Governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), said that the country did not have to haste to become a member of the European single currency union.
March 17, 2014
Poland: “Time for Belt-Tightening”
Poland is required to cut the deficit in the public finance sector.
March 13, 2014
Hypo Group: Reason for “Budget Lie”
The situation of ailing bank Hypo Alpe Adria may be worse than assumed. The supervisory board of the bank and the taskforce are discussing about the half-yearly report.
August 7, 2013
Austrian GDP Growth Above European Average
In 2012, Austria saw a growth of GDP of 0.9 percent which is signifantly above the European average.
July 12, 2013
Spindelegger: Fitness Program for Austria
Austrian economy supposed to be boosted by reforms of “Unternehmen Österreich 2025, and a rejection of new taxes.
July 10, 2013
Austria: Government Agrees on Stimulus Package
Startled by construction company Alpine’s insolvency, the Austrian government has agreed on the fiercly discussed stimulus package. An amount of € 800m is required additionally.
June 25, 2013
Hungary: GDP Fell by 2.7%
The gross domestic product of Hungary decreased by 2.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
March 8, 2013
Czech Republic Eases Austerity Policy
In order to boost economic growth, the Czech government tends to refrain from the strict austerity course.
March 5, 2013
Bulgaria: Budget Balance Negative
The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-January 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 536.5 million.
March 4, 2013
Poland`s Economy Slows Down Further
According to preliminary estimates, the Gross Domestic Product in the 4th quarter of 2012 only grew by 1.1%.
March 4, 2013
Austria: Public Spending Ratio Forces Country to Reforms
Austria’s economy is stronger than the European average, however, it is still in need of reforms. Suggestions are made by head of WIFO Aiginger who demands a new strategy until 2025.
March 2, 2013
Bulgaria: Stop of Constructing Nuclear Power Plant in Belene
Together with Russia, Bulgaria stopped the controversial construction of a nuclear power plant in Belene close to the Danube.
March 1, 2013
Outlook: Europe Remains Under Threat
The European debt crisis will remain a major issue, Austrian Erste Group says.
December 28, 2012
Pension Costs to Increase Moderately
According to CNB (Czech National Bank), pension costs will increase by 3.0% of GDP in the next fifty years.
November 30, 2012
Future of Czech Government Uncertain
Although Prime Minister Petr Necas was confirmed as party leader of the governing ODS, the government is still threatened to collapse.
November 6, 2012
Lithuania´s Government Aims to Join Eurozone
The social democrat Algirdas Butkevicius may become Lithuania´s next Prime Minister. His main targets are austerity and the accession to the Eurozone.
October 31, 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
Austrian Experts Urge for Pension Reform
According to experts, Austrian citizens should postpone their retirement by four to five years.
September 25, 2012
Next Pension Reform Ahead
European Forum Alpbach: In 2016, the next pension reform may be necessary in Austria.
September 1, 2012
Stability of Austrian Budget Endangered
Public expenses are on the rise. At the same time, the tax intake shrinks. Economist Felderer warns of expensive election gifts.
July 12, 2012
Austrian Industry Urges Government to Continue Austerity Policies
The Austrian government has to perform its job in order to retain competitiveness and economic growth in future. Finance Minister Fekter is highly satisfied with the government´s economic report.
July 10, 2012
Support for Export-Oriented SMEs
The Austrian Ministry of Finance increased the bill guarantee facility for small and medium-sized enterprises to € 1.2bn.
June 29, 2012
IV: „Budget Consolidation Supports Economic Growth“
The Federation of Austrian Industries pushes for structural reforms in order to cut public expenses.
June 8, 2012
Austrian R&D Expenses Rise to € 8.61bn
In 2012, R&D expenses are expected rise by 4.0% in Austria. The bulk of R&D expenses is contributed by enterprises.
June 6, 2012
Androsch Criticizes Hypo Group Purchase
In 2009, the Austrian state nationalized the financially stricken Hypo Group. Much time was wasted, the industrialist and Fimbag board member Hannes Androsch thinks.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Budget Target Endangered
In spite of decreasing revenues and rising expenses, Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter expects to reach the budget target.
May 30, 2012
Exposure in Eastern Europe Remains Austria´s Weak Point
The Commission of the European Union warned Austria of the big exposure of domestic banks in Eastern Europe. Moreover, the austerity package was criticized.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Chamber of Economics Claims Growth Package
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce thinks that Austria and Europe would both need growth and austerity measures.
May 25, 2012
Austrian Economy Grows Slowly
After a period of stagnation, the Austrian economy showed a small growth rate of 0.2% in the first quarter of 2012.
May 15, 2012
Austrian Ministry of Finance Presents Public Expense Statistic
Finance Minister Maria Fekter initiated an information campaign. 22.6% of the public expenses are allocated to provinces and municipalities.
May 12, 2012
Austrian Demand for New Buildings Declines
Due to the weaker economic growth and the austerity policies, demand for new buildings is decreasing.
May 12, 2012
Constant Rise in Austrian Research Spending
Austrian spending on research and development is set to increase by 4.2% in 2012 to reach € 8.6bn.
May 10, 2012
IHS: Austerity Package Smaller than Expected
The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) considers the austerity package to be effective. Proceeds will be smaller than expected, though.
May 9, 2012
Austrian Research Intensity to Reach 2.80% in 2012
According to a forecast of Statistics Austria, € 8.6bn are expected to be spent on research and development (R&D).
April 25, 2012
Call for Structural Reform of Social Policy
The Federation of Austrian Industries reaffirms the high non-wage labor costs and intends to raise efficiencies in the health sector. The retirement age would be too low.
April 12, 2012
Health Insurances Reduce Debts
Over the last three years, Austrian health insurance institutes could cut debts by € 1.0bn, which is substantially more than expected.
April 12, 2012
Austria Pays Less Interest
Despite the lost „AAA“, Austria´s interest rate on recently issued bonds is on a record low.
April 10, 2012
Failed Austerity Package: „Austrian Rating Not Affected“
Bernhard Felderer, director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) thinks that the incomplete austerity package has no effect on Austria´s prospects to return to the Triple-A status.
April 7, 2012
Kyoto Protocol: Austria Spends € 160m
Austria will invest € 160m ($213.4 million) in climate protection projects in Europe to cover the gap it faces to meet commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, Environment Minister Niki Berlakovich said.
April 4, 2012
Public Deficit in 2011 Below Maastricht Criteria
The Austrian state recorded a budget deficit of 2.6%. Public debt rose to 72.2% of GDP in 2011.
March 29, 2012
EU Financial Framework Negotiations Enter the Hot Phase
State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner underlines Austria´s position as net contributor at the General Affairs Council in Brussels.
March 27, 2012
Budget: Wifo Misses Future Investments
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (Wifo) commented the government´s draft of the budget. There is still a lack in active fiscal policy, Wifo states.
March 26, 2012
Despite Loss of AAA: Austria Pays Less Interest
The Austrian Republic had to pay € 300m less than initially expected in 2011. In spite of the downgrade by S&P, the trend seems to continue.
March 10, 2012
Austerity Package: Sorger Misses Reforms
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, sees a massive lack in structural reforms. The austerity package is a “missed opportunity”.
March 3, 2012
Environmental Expenditure Growing
Austrian environmental protection expenditure 2009: €12.7bn; expenditure doubled from 1995 to 2009.
February 23, 2012