The Austrian import and export industry is nearing pre-crisis levels, figures presented today (Fri) confirm. Federal statistics organisation Statistik Austria announced that firms based in the country exported products worth 109.37 billion Euros in 2010, up by 16.7 per cent compared to 2009. The value of exports dropped by nearly 19 per cent from 2008 […]
A leading Social Democrat (SPÖ) has suggested business bosses should not earn more than the president. Josef Leitner, who heads the SPÖ’s branch in the province of Upper Austria, said today (Thurs) CEOs of companies in which the state holds stakes could have their wages cut owing to the volatile economic climate. The left-winger argued […]
A new anti-terror draft bill presented by the People’s Party (ÖVP) has sparked mixed reactions among opposition factions. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the ÖVP’s new interior minister, announced yesterday (Weds) she agreed with ÖVP Justice Minister Beatrix Karl that people who incite others to carry out terrorist acts should go to jail. The interior minister explained the […]
Many small children in Austria could soon be ordered to attend kindergartens for two years, the government coalition has said. People’s Party (ÖVP) Integration Issues State Secretary Sebastian Kurz suggested yesterday (Weds) to expand the current mandatory one-year kindergarten scheme to reduce the risk of many kids fall behind at school due to poor language […]
The Austrian government plans to ask high-profile businessmen to join an advisory committee after a leading banker called politicians “stupid and coward.” Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Bank) boss Andreas Treichl’s attack kicked off an intense debate about the relationship of politicians and entrepreneurs last month. The banker – who nearly became federal finance minister […]
Franz Vranitzky has expressed doubts whether Austrian businesspeople feel represented by the countrys politicians due to their “inexplicable bashing of Turkey.”The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) chancellor said today (Fri) it was “not plausible” why Austria has made itself the “spearhead” of European countries opposing a Turkish accession of the European Union (EU).”I just dont understand […]
Social Democratic (SPÖ) Infrastructure Minister Doris Bures has labelled a debate over whether Federal Railways (ÖBB) should be privatised as “superfluous.”New Peoples Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Maria Fekter hit the headlines at the weekend by announcing she could imagine selling ÖBB to reduce the soaring state debt.Fekter said she “would have no problem” with privatising […]
A serious diplomatic rift has erupted between Austria and Turkey.The Turkish government decided at the weekend to veto Ursula Plassniks application for the position as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The former Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP) foreign minister said earlier this year she wanted to take over from Marc […]
Former Peoples Party (ÖVP) boss Josef Pröll is to head an internationally operating agricultural company.The Lower Austrian-Viennese branch of Raiffeisen Austrias biggest private employer announced yesterday (Weds) that the ex-finance minister will take over at its affiliate Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs AG (LLI) next month. Pröll agreed with supervisory board officials on a five-year […]
Businessmen have slammed the economic circumstances in Croatia as Austria aims to remain the busiest investor in the Southeast European state.Burgenland Economy Chamber chief Peter Nemeth said today (Thurs) Croatias political system “hasnt arrived in the present yet” due to bureaucratic barriers for entrepreneurs interested in investing in the country. He added that he considered […]