Austria reprimanded over job market disparities

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Business

The European Commission (EC) has appealed to Austria to abolish the various hindrances immigrants are facing on the country’s labour market. EC officials decided yesterday (Mon) to issue a warning to the Austrian government coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and People’s Party (ÖVP) as well as to Austrian private economy decision-makers. EC experts said highly […]

EU must avoid Greek bankruptcy, says BA boss

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Finance

Bank Austria (BA) CEO Willibald Cernko has warned from letting Greece go bust. Cernko said at the weekend Europe “should consider very well whether it would be a good idea to dismiss a country from the Eurozone.” The banker claimed such a move “would put the European project into question.” The BA chief warned that […]

Milanovic makes job pledge

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Politics

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic has identified creating jobs as his chief priority. The head of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), who became prime minister of the former Yugoslavian country after the general election last December, said in Vienna yesterday (Thurs) his main goal was to consolidate the Croatian budget and improve its […]

Faymann tests tax on financial transactions’ potential

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Politics

Austria is investigating how much money it could generate by a tax on financial transactions, according to Chancellor Werner Faymann. The chairman of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) told radio station Ö1 this morning (Tues) a team of experts were examining the issue for the government coalition of his party and the People’s Party […]

Funding of Greek projects frozen until 2014

Categories
Politics

Johannes Hahn, the European commissioner for regional policy, has made clear that Greece will not receive any additional financial support by his department before the year after next. The former Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) science minister told the Salzburger Nachrichten on Saturday that it had been previously agreed how much money the European Union’s (EU) […]

Berlakovich blocks possible cutbacks

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Business

The pressure is increasing on People’s Party (ÖVP) Environment Minister Nikolaus Berlakovich as he keeps refusing to reduce spending on the agricultural sector. The environment and agriculture minister claimed yesterday (Tues) subsidies on the domestic agricultural industry were ensuring farmers’ existence. He warned that cuts could ruin the Austrian agricultural sector. His appeal comes after […]

Fitch confirms Austrian AAA

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Business

Another leading credit rating agency has confirmed Austria’s excellent financial condition. US American rating agency Fitch said yesterday (Tues) it decided to keep Austria’s rating at AAA, the best possible estimation agencies issue on the financial trustworthiness and stability of a country or a company. Some experts warned that Fitch might consider downgrading Austria due […]

Austrian Euro boost found to be strongest

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Business

Austria benefited the most by the introduction of the Euro, according to an investigation. The German department of internationally operating consulting group McKinsey examined the economic performance of the 17 members of the Eurozone to determine which nation prospered the most. Twelve European Union (EU) states including Austria are the Eurozone’s founding members as they […]

Semperit braces for activity decrease

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Business

Semperit boss Thomas Fahnemann has said he expected next year to be “significantly more difficult”. Fahnemann told the Kurier today (Tues) the economy would not suffer as dramatically as in 2009. However, the German businessman warned that the economic environment might worsen next year compared to 2011. Semperit is a leading manufacturer of medical gloves, […]

Austrian jobless rate lowest in EU

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Business

Austria remains Europe’s model pupil as far as unemployment rates are regarded. The country, which joined the European Union (EU) in 1995, had a jobless rate of 4.1 per cent in October, according to research by Eurostat. The agency carries out research for the European Commission (EC). Eurostat said today (Weds) Luxembourg registered the second-lowest […]