Siemens boss calls for ‘stable and transparent’ financial economy

Siemens chief Peter Löscher said he saw signs of recovery of the European economy as he attended the opening of a new office complex in Vienna today (Fri).The Austrian said: “Tendencies of the European economy managing to recuperate are clearly visible despite the nervousness dominating the international financial markets.”Löscher stressed that a “stable and transparent” financial economy was needed by the real economy at all times.This appeal comes one day after Deutsche Bank boss Josef Ackermann warned of the introduction of some form of tax on financial transactions at a meeting of global bank chiefs at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace.”The economies of countries who decide to introduce a tax on financial transactions could suffer since companies might withdraw and relocate their operations,” Ackermann – who hosted the summit – said.Around 6,000 people will work in the new Siemens City Vienna, of which 3,000 will have their offices in the site’s building complex opened today. Siemens invested around 150 million Euros in the creation of the facility in Floridsdorf district.It meanwhile remains unclear who will follow Brigitte Ederer as head of the internationally-operating technology firm’s Austrian department.Ederer, a former Social Democratic (SPÖ) state secretary, will be in charge of its European operations from next month. She headed Siemens Austria since 2005.