Austria has improved year on year in a global corruption survey.The country reached 15th place (2009: 16th) in the 2010 edition of the Corruption Perception study conducted by Transparency International (TI). Austria shares the spot with neighbouring Germany (2009: 14th) which also reached 7.9 of a maximum 10 points.Denmark, Singapore and New Zealand shared first […]
Almost three in 10 residents of Vienna plan to buy sweets or decorations to celebrate Halloween this year, according to a survey.The citys Economy Chamber (WKW) found that 29 per cent of people living in Vienna will spend money ahead of the 31 October event which has a long tradition in America. Only 22 per […]
Austria has the second-best competitive edge in the Eurozone, a leading think tank has claimed.The Brussels-based Lisbon Council announced today (Mon) that Germany (8.5 points) had the greatest competitiveness among the 16 European union (EU) member states which have adopted the Euro as their sole currency.Austria garnered 8.3 points in the study to come second […]
Airlines have vowed to pass extra costs on to customers after the governments announcement to set up a tax on tickets.The federal coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Peoples Party (ÖVP) announced on the weekend it will charge every ticket for a flight from Austria to another European country with eight Euros from next year. […]
Mercedes Benz is recalling more than 2,500 cars in Austria.Car club ÖAMTC informed today (Fri) that the German company was asking owners of the C (W204), E (W212, C207, A207) und GLK (X204) series to have their vehicles checked at a garage amid potential steering malfunctions.The possibly affected cars were produced between June 2009 and […]
Telekom Austria (TA) are considered favourites to take over a majority stake in Telekom Srbija.The Austrian company confirmed today (Fri) it has been looking at the tender papers for the planned sale of a 50 per cent interest in the Serbian telecommunications provider.France Telecom, Germanys Deutsche Telekom and Egyptian firm Orascom Telecom are also interested […]
Wienerberger CEO Heimo Scheuch announced ambitions to become “less dependant” on new home constructions.Scheuch explained today (Thurs) 80 per cent of assignments of the company the largest brick maker in the world were housing projects.The company chief also warned of a significant decline of business in the United States where he expected a […]
Fire-fighting equipment producer Rosenbauer International AG has been contracted by an Asian company to deliver 21 fire trucks.The Upper Austrian firm, which is based in Leonding, said today (Thurs) it was assigned by the internationally-operating UMW Group to produce 21 fire engines worth an overall 17.4 million Euros for Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB).Rosenbauers turnover […]
Car clubs have turned their guns on the government over plans to raise taxes on mineral oil (MöSt).ÖAMTC said today (Thurs) the coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the conservative Peoples Party (ÖVP) was “lacking ideas” in its attempts to restore the state budget as government officials hinted towards higher MöSt from next year.The motorists […]
Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) boss Andreas Braun has attacked lawmakers for failing to allow the crystal shop in Vienna to open on Sundays.The manager said today that (Weds) “pseudo arguments” have been used to fight the 1,200 square-metre Swarovski store in Kärntner Street from doing business seven days a week.”Some fed-up, envious locals have been […]