WIFO warns building firms of a tough time

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Business

Austrian construction companies are in for a difficult year, a leading think tank has warned.The Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) announced today (Fri) that it expected investments in the domestic building sector to grow by just 0.7 per cent year on year. The think tank pointed out that the Austrian gross domestic product (GDP) was […]

Hungarians buy sugar in bulk

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Business

Shops in eastern Austria have reported that Hungarians are engaging in panic-buying of sugar.Several managers of supermarkets and groceries in the Austrian province of Burgenland told local media today (Thurs) that their stocks of the product were sold out due to recent developments.Branch experts explain that Hungarians have started to cross the border to purchase […]

Car petrol prices approach all-time peak

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Business

Car fuel costs nearly 10 per cent more than at the beginning of the year, a motorists association has claimed.Car club ÖAMTC announced today (Thurs) that one litre of car petrol cost up to 9.5 per cent more at the moment than it did in early January. The organisation pointed out that the recently introduced […]

Austrian income increase predicted

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Business

Salaries in Austria will rise this year, according to an internationally operating personnel consulting firm.Aon Hewitt said today (Weds) Austrian businesses would pay three per cent more to their staff this year than in 2010. Aon Hewitt spoke with decision-makers at 42 Austrian firms of various branches. Aon Hewitt stated around half a year ago […]

Yahama installs new Bösendorfer boss

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Business

Yamaha, the Japanese owner of Bösendorfer, has introduced a new chief executive at the tradition-rich piano maker.Yamaha announced today (Weds) that Bösendorfer deputy managing director Brian Kemble will succeed Yoshichika Sakai who has headed the Vienna-based firm since 2008. Yamaha explained Sakai will return to Japan to focus on new projects at its piano department […]

More real estate deals in Austria

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Business

Almost 94,000 properties were sold in Austria last year, it was announced today (Weds).Land registry records show that 93,807 houses and apartments were sold in 2010, 12.7 per cent more than in 2009. The overall purchase price of the estates ranged around 17.25 billion Euros, up by 5.8 per cent year on year, according to […]

Graz fine dust woes continue

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General News

There have been more fine dust particles in the air than allowed in the Styrian city of Graz on nearly 50 days so far this year, figures presented today (Weds) showed.The Austrian Traffic Club (VCÖ) informed that federal fine dust limits were surpassed on 46 days in the provincial capital so far in 2011. Austrian […]

Vienna jobless rate rises

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Business

Vienna’s unemployment rate has risen significantly.Statistik Austria said today (Tues) 7.6 per cent more people were without a job in the city last month than in February 2010, while all of Austria’s other eight political regions registered declines.The overall Austrian unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent last month, down slightly year on year and compared […]

Gay partnership law leads to 700 ‘registrations’

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Politics

More than 700 same sex couples decided to follow the government coalition’s offer of having their partnership “registered” last year.Federal statistic agency Statistik Austria said today (Mon) that 705 gay couples took the opportunity to gain legal status for their relationships last year when a new law passed by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the […]

BWT presents bright 2010 figures

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Business

Water processing and preparation company Best Water Technology AG (BWT) said today (Fri) that its turnover jumped by 15 per cent to 460.7 million Euros year on year in 2010.The company, which is based in the Upper Austrian town of Mondsee, added its earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) improved by 17.4 per cent to […]