Newsletter: About Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Kuwait, India and the New Danube Tower

150th Anniversary - Japan and Austria Enjoy Excellent Bilateral Ties

Politicians

Foreign Minister Kneissl has concluded her visit to Japan, which served, among other purposes, as preparation for the visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in autumn on the occasion of 150 years of relations between Japan and Austria. During her stay Kneissl also took part in numerous bilateral meetings and in the international women's conference WAW World Assembly for Women.

Kurz in the Emirates and in Kuwait - A Lipizzaner Stallion for the Monarch

Chancellor Kurz visited the UAE United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait with an extensive business delegation. Main purpose were deals in in the fields of energy, sustainability, infrastructure, transport and health. Also on the trip were 25 Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School including riders, which were on a tour in the Emirates. Kurz presented the Crown Prince of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a Lipizzan stallion as a gift from the Republic of Austria.

Austria's Most Important Trading Partners - Ranking of the Top-20

Although the United States is only the second largest Austrian export partner after Germany, in 2018 exports exceeded the ten billion euro mark for the first time, growing by +9.7%. Imports, on the other hand, were only about half as high. Of the top 20 import partners, all, with the exception of Switzerland, showed a positive development. Imports from Russia, the UK, Slovakia, Poland and Slovenia recorded double-digit growth.

Former Top Indian Diplomat Returns to Vienna

Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser of India, who speaks some German, will visit Vienna in April, where he regularly visited the IAEA from 2008 to 2014, as a member of India's Atomic Energy Commission. At a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are particularly high, he will talk about "The New Asian Geopolitics".

Austria to Become Most Sustainable Tourism Destination in the World

Sustainability Minister Elisabeth Köstinger presented the "Plan T - Master Plan for Tourism" in Salzburg. This strategy paper is intended to ensure that Austria not only remains one of the leading tourist destinations, but that this position is further strengthened. For the first time sustainability is anchored as a basic principle for tourism. The strategic realignment of Österreich Werbung (ANTO Austrian National Tourist Office) is also on the agenda.

Austria's Trade Balance Deficit Rises in 2018

The deficit of the Austrian trade balance amounted to 5.71 billion euros in 2018, after 5.60 billion euros in the same period of the previous year. Imports of goods worth 155.71 billion euros (plus 5.5%) opposed exports worth 150.0 billion euros (plus 5.7%). The product group machinery and vehicles was again by far the most important in Austrian foreign trade.

Laxenburg Research Institute IIASA Deepens Relations with South Korea

Since the Republic of Korea’s (South Korea) membership of IIASA began in 2008, a range of research collaborations and capacity building activities have been developed by IIASA and 18 Korean research partners. Now, Shin Dong-ik, Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Vienna, visited IIASA to learn more and to talk about the IIASA research agenda and the institute's current and future research collaborations with South Korea.

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Austria: H.E. Mr. Shin Dong-ik

H.E. Mr. Shin Dong-ik is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Austria and to the Republic of Slovenia and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the International Organizations in Vienna. He was followed in this post by Ambassador Shin Chae-hyun in July 2019.

Austrian Service Providers and Trade with Revenue Growth for 2018

In 2018, Austrian service companies achieved a nominal increase in turnover of 5.7% compared to 2017. Trading recorded a nominal increase of 3.7% compared to the previous year, adjusted for inflation a sales increase of 1.3% was calculated.

Danube Tower - Viennese Landmark Celebrates New Beginning

After the modernisation, revitalisation and expansion of the Danube Tower (Wiener Donauturm) by the Blaguss Group for more than ten million euros and the creation of 30 new jobs and a new e-shuttle, the tower was reopened. The restaurant, located at a height of 170 metres, offers a fantastic view over Vienna and turns every dinner and celebration into a unique experience.

Vienna's Diversity Ball 2019: "Masquerade"

The 12th Diversity Ball 2019 with the theme "Maskerade" (Masquerade) will take place on May 4th 2019 and will transform the location Kursalon Wien into a shining symbol for practiced tolerance. In a glittering ball night the organizers would like to set a further example for the diversity of their community, for tolerance, for accessibility and for mutual respect.