An economist has rubbished claims that only the financial sector is to blame for the crisis. Stefan Bruckbauer, the chief economist of Bank Austria (BA), said on Saturday: “I don’t claim that banks are totally innocent since they financed the debtors.” Bruckbauer told the Kurier the Republic of Austria had to invest 1.7 billion Euros […]
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Schlecker to sell foreign business
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Works council chiefs and unionists are closely observing developments at Schlecker as the German drugstore chain revealed plans to sell its international business. Schlecker officials announced yesterday (Mon) they wanted to put the firm’s foreign activities for sale to ensure meeting creditors’ demands. The Ehingen-based enterprise started controlled insolvency procedures last month. Schlecker, which runs […]
Crisis could cause more illegal work
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A downturn of the economy could lead to an increase of illicit work in Austria, an expert on the issue has warned. Friedrich Schneider of the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) said yesterday (Tues) he expected illicit employment to decline by 1.1 per cent this year compared to 2011 if the domestic economy stabilised. Schneider […]
DO&CO on track with ÖBB
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A leading airline caterer will soon provide food for Federal Railways (ÖBB) customers, according to a newspaper. Die Presse reports today (Weds) that ÖBB picked DO&CO to manage on-board catering services of its long-distance trains from April. The state-funded railway company and the Viennese gastronomy enterprise were unavailable for comment. ÖBB is expected to reveal […]
Weak growth ahead, WIFO warns
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It will take another two years until the Austrian economy grows by two per cent, a Viennese institute has warned. The Institute for Economic Research’s (WIFO) five-year forecast – which was presented yesterday (Mon) – shows that the Austrian economy could grow by two per cent from 2013 to 2014. WIFO research reveals that the […]
Hotels cut down investments
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Austrian hotels are reducing their investments, according to a bank focusing on financing tourism projects. The Austrian Hotels and Tourism Bank (ÖHT) said yesterday (Tues) it provided hotels across the country with loans worth 880 million Euros in 2011. The tourism industry businesses financed 1,800 renovation, restoration and expansion projects with the funds, according to […]
Church considers charging apostates
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A conservative politician has started a countrywide debate by suggesting that people should be ordered to pay a charge after leaving the Church. Maximilian Hiegelsberger of the People’s Party (ÖVP) said earlier this week that Austrians who decided to cancel their membership in the Roman Catholic Church could be asked to transfer a certain sum […]
ÖVP plans drastic spending cuts
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People’s Party (ÖVP) chief Michael Spindelegger has pointed out that his party wants to restore the country’s public budget without tax increases. The foreign minister, who took over when Josef Pröll resigned as ÖVP chief in April 2011, said yesterday (Thurs) his faction found that the state debt could be lowered significantly by austerity measures. […]
Asset tax hike useless, says study
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An increase of taxes on assets will not help lower the state debt, according to a survey. Researchers of Salzburg University – who cooperated with a tax consultant office to conduct their investigation – said yesterday (Weds) raising Austria’s comparably low taxation rate on assets would not significantly support the government in its current attempt […]
Entrepreneurs gear up for trouble
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Young businesspeople expect a worsening of the economic climate – but they are also convinced of being able to weather the turmoil. The Association of Young Entrepreneurs said yesterday (Tues) it interviewed 2,200 self-employed Austrians in the past weeks. Around seven in 10 of them expect a new crisis but only two per cent fear […]