Tax Cuts and Easing Inflation Strengthening Support to Growth from Private Consumption. Medium-term Projections for the Austrian Economy from 2008 to 2012

With a projected annual rate of 2.3 percent the Austrian economy will grow less than expected so far. Real GDP growth will lag slightly behind the mark of 2.4 percent observed between 2002 and 2007. The present downturn of the US business cycle will continue to weigh on activity in the euro area in the second half of 2008 and throughout 2009. This downward trend will be partially offset by growth opportunities in the new EU countries, where Austrian exporters have acquired a strong market position. We expect a recovery for the euro area starting from 2010, from which Austrian exporting firms should be able to take full advantage given their high degree of competitiveness.