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WKO Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce
WKO: Austria's Tourism Industry Needs Every Possible Help
The chairman of the division responsible for tourism in the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, Robert Seeber, demands all possible help for the hard-hit Austrian tourism industry. Seeber emphasizes the need for urgent measures, so the tourism sector can once again "act as an economic locomotive and employment engine to boost the entire national economy."
February 10, 2021
WKO Heads: Easing of Lockdown Was Necessary
Both, the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce's (WKO) President, Harald Mahrer, and Secretary General, Karlheinz Kopf, are pleased by the government's decision to open the retail sector and body-related service providers again. They furthermore demand a clear perspective for industries that are yet to be opened.
February 4, 2021
WKO: Vaccination in Austrian Businesses Possible
Austria's companies could be used as part of the vaccination strategy. This is what many major companies and Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce suggest. The readily available infrastructure could provide testing and vaccination facilities for up to 500,000 employees in the various industries.
January 12, 2021
Eurochambres President Demands Repositioning of EU
After the post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the United Kingdom has finally been set up, Eurochambres President Christoph Leitl demands repositioning of the European Union and does not only see negative impacts of the UK leaving the single market and the customs union.
January 11, 2021
WKO: Lockdown Extension a "Blow For Domestic Trade"
Once again the Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) does not entirely support the federal government in its decision to extend the lockdown and cancel the opportunity to escape the lockdown with a negative Covid-19 test. The WKO demands plans for the affected companies and aid for the suppliers indirectly affected by the crisis.
January 5, 2021
Schramböck: "UK Will Remain Important Partner in Europe"
Although the United Kingdom will be leaving the European Union's customs union and single market at the end of 2020, Austria's Economics Minister Schramböck assures that "Austria's companies will continue to play a significant role in the UK markets" in the future. The newly negotiated agreement between the UK and the EU will provide a proper framework for these business relations.
December 30, 2020
Brexit Agreement: Federation of Austrian Industries and WKO Welcome Agreement
With regard to the finalized Brexit negotiations, the Federation of Austrian Industries and Chamber of Commerce showed themselves relieved after the EU and the United Kingdom have finally come to an agreement which will regulate the relations between the leaving party and the member countries of the European Union starting from January 1, 2021.
December 28, 2020
WKO: Importance of Trade Agreements
The chairman of the Federal Board for Foreign Trade in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), Karl Pisec, underlines the importance of international trade agreements for the European Union as well as for Austria. As an example to show benefits of trade agreements, he uses the EU's agreement with the Mercosur states and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Asia.
December 23, 2020
WKO Heads Demand Clear Plan for Path to Normality
The heads of Austria's Federal Economic Chamber demand a clear plan that shows a step-by-step path to normality. They demand regular mass testing, where negative test results are connected to more freedoms. According to them, the lockdown immediately after Christmas will hit many companies particularly hard.
December 18, 2020
WKO and IV: Need for "Climate Protection with Common Sense"
The heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demand appropriate framework conditions for climate-friendly behavior instead of the race for ever higher climate targets. Both Secretary Generals want "climate protection with common sense".
December 10, 2020
WKO: Thoughts About Opening Stores on Sundays
The President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) has expressed his thoughts about a possible opening of stores on Sundays before Christmas. This would create the opportunity for companies to equalize customer flows which they have missed out on during the ongoing lockdown.
November 24, 2020
First Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day
The Austrian and Swedish government have decided to hold their first ever Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day, which will try to kick-off a lasting bilateral relationship with regard to innovation, business and industry. The event will be attended by Austrian and Swedish politicians as well as representatives of the economic sector.
November 23, 2020
International Mobility Days 2020 Held Virtually
The International Mobility Days of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce are held virtually. The mobility industry is one of the fastest evolving industries and the future of transportation, especially in growing cities, is a topic that has been dominating international entrepreneurial acton for years.
November 19, 2020
WKO Heads: "Lockdown Hits Companies With Full Force"
The new lockdown will once again shut down Austria's economy in its entirety. The heads of the Austria Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) emphasize the importance of financial support for companies by the government and of a well functioning education for children despite school closings.
November 16, 2020
Eurochambres President Demands Rapid Measures for Businesses
At the presentation of the 28th Eurochambres Economic Survey, President of the Association for European Chambers of Commerce Leitl demands "immediate help" for businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the survey results show sharp declines in many economic indicators.
November 11, 2020
Austrian Economic Mission to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is organizing an open-industry economic mission to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The program includes networking with local business leaders and multipliers, preparations for the postponed Expo 2020 in 2021 and the opening of new business opportunities.
November 10, 2020
Vienna Is the Sixth Largest City in the European Union
After London pulled out and Bucharest moved up, Vienna has consolidated itself in sixth place among the largest cities in the European Union. But who is the new European leader, and who are the other cities ahead of Vienna in the ranking? What are the reasons why living in Vienna is so popular with other Austrians, expats, migrants and refugees?
November 9, 2020
Federal Chamber of Commerce: Lockdown Is Unthinkable and Needs To Be Avoided
The heads of the Federal Chamber of Commerce emphasize the importance of avoiding a second lockdown due to rising Covid-19 cases in Austria. They also demand further support measures for the economy and particularly hope that the EU approves the planned fixed cost subsidy.
October 9, 2020
EXPO 2020 Dubai: Austria Pavilion Past First Construction Stage
The World Expo 2020 in Dubai, which will now be taking place in 2021, will also be starring about 100 companies from Austria. With the completion of the Austria Pavilion's first construction stage, these companies are now one step closer to a successful exhibition.
September 25, 2020
Increase of Budget for Investment Subsidies to EUR 2 Billion
The Austrian Government has announced a budget increase for investment subsidies. A high demand and investment volume in the first three weeks of the application period has lead to this decision that is welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Commerce.
September 23, 2020
Suspension of Restrictions Between Hungary and Austria
Hungary has lifted the 30-kilometer and 24-hour restrictions for commuters from Austria. This makes cross-border life and business significantly easier and allows the trading relationship between the two countries to flourish again.
September 14, 2020
EU Puts a Hold on Austria's Fixed Cost Subsidies
The European Commission has questioned Austria's newly introduced fixed cost subsidy to the surprise of many Austrian politicians and experts. Companies in the sectors tourism and export were predominantly planned to be subsidized.
September 9, 2020
WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge
The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.
September 7, 2020
A Ban on Alcohol for Advent Markets May Be Discussed
For the director of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, Harald Mahrer, is it imaginable to have Advent markets this year. However, he is preferring a mandatory mask wearing at Advent markets and recommends a discussion about a possible ban on alcohol.
September 4, 2020
After Discussions in Austria: IHS and WIFO Against Statutory Reduction of Working Hours
Austrian economic research institutes IHS and WIFO are both against a reduction of working hours. According to the experts, training and retraining for the unemployed would be better approaches.
August 26, 2020
Austrian Chamber of Commerce Promotes Business with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
The WKO Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce offers the opportunity to participate in a webinar on the opportunities for Austrian and European companies in the two countries Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with and after COVID-19.
July 27, 2020 · Sponsored Content
Business with China Slumps: Chamber of Commerce Sets Up Coronavirus Hotline
Because of the coronavirus crisis, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) is now also reacting and setting up an auxiliary hotline for the approximately 1,000 affected companies in the Austrian-Chinese trade.
February 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Infopoint for Affected Companies
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has set up a central contact point in Vienna for companies that have requests in connection with the coronavirus. The "Coronavirus Infopoint" brings together all information from Austria and abroad on this topic.
February 19, 2020
US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in Vienna
The 82-year-old United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who has been in office since February 28, 2017 and was nominated by Donald Trump, visited Vienna and met, among others, US Ambassador Trevor Traina, WKO President Mahrer, Finance Minister Blümel, Environment Minister Gewessler and Economics Minister Schramböck.
February 11, 2020
Upward Trend in Foreign Trade Between Uzbekistan and Austria
With 33 million inhabitants, Uzbekistan is the most populous country and Austria's second largest export destination in Central Asia.
November 18, 2019
Austria Connect Greater China: Digital Transformation and Tomorrow's Customers
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong hosts the largest Chinese-Austrian networking event in Asia.
October 22, 2019
Austria ist Überall: Austria's Exporters in the United States
The Austrian Trade Commissioner in New York, Michael Friedl, is pleased about the successful business of Austrian companies in the US American market with record export figures of 10.6 billion euros and a trade balance surplus of 4.6 billion euros.
August 23, 2019
Albania and North Macedonia: No EU Accession Negotiations for the Time Being, but Austria Still in Favor of It
The decision to start accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia was postponed. Several EU states are blocking enlargement in the Balkans. The EU committee of the Austrian Federal Council demands that the Western Balkans become part of the EU. The Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, on the other hand, warns against hasty new admissions.
June 20, 2019
Vienna Chamber of Commerce Opened New Headquarters
The Vienna Chamber of Commerce, a branch of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has recently moved into a new ten-storey building near the Vienna Prater, the so-called "Haus der Wiener Wirtschaft". In this building, ten locations from five districts were combined and now all services can be found under one roof.
May 20, 2019
Opening of the New Austrian Foreign Trade Centre in Vietnam
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's largest economic mission to Vietnam and Singapore is currently travelling in Southeast Asia to open a new base in Ho Chi Minh City and to sign a cooperation agreement in Singapore to establish a new Accelerator Programme.
May 16, 2019
ALPS 2019: How Diplomacy and Commerce Fit Together
As part of the 11th ALPS round in May 2019, 21 international company and start-up founders from 13 non-EU countries had the opportunity to make contact with Austrian decision-makers, explore ways of working together and develop new ideas.
May 16, 2019
Czech-Austrian Economic Relations: President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman Visits Vienna
During the visit of the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, bilateral economic relations were the focus of talks with Federal President Van der Bellen as well as at the Austrian-Czech Economic Forum in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
April 6, 2019
Viennese Merchants' Guild Prepares for Chinese Century
Something is happening in the Viennese school system. The VBS Vienna Business School will offer its students the opportunity to learn Chinese (Mandarin) at all six school locations from autumn onwards and to take advantage of an extensive range of Chinese language and culture courses.
March 18, 2019
Emir of Qatar Struggling for Survival Visited Vienna
The 38 year old Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who 5 years ago ascended the throne as successor of his father Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and is now fighting under pressure of his neighbours, especially Saudi Arabia, for the survival of his monarchy, came to an official visit to Austria to talk about business.
March 7, 2019
Business Mission and "Future Trip" to Tel Aviv as Part of the State Visit of Van der Bellen
On the occasion of the official state visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WKO) is organising an economic mission entitled "Infrastructure" as well as the "Open Innovation for Corporates" future trip to Tel Aviv.
February 4, 2019
Austrian-Israeli Economic Relations - 20% Increase in Exports
On the occasion of the official state visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the accompanying business delegation of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the issue of the actual state of economic relations has arisen. The Austrian-Israeli foreign trade volume amounted to 568 million euros in 2017, with a trade balance surplus for Austria of 229 million euros. The Chamber of Commerce reports that Austrian exports to Israel increased by 20.3% in 2017. The trend seems to have continued in 2018. More than 600,000 overnight stays by Israeli tourists make Israel one of the top nations in Austrian tourism statistics.
February 4, 2019
Economic Relations Between France and Austria on the Rise
France is Austria's fourth most important export market worldwide. At more than EUR 3 bn, the trade surplus with France is the second highest in the world after the USA. Last year, France grew particularly strongly as a destination for Austrian products with an increase of 32% or EUR 7 bn in Austrian exports.
January 30, 2019
Economic Relations Brazil - Austria
Brazil experienced the worst recession in its history with GDP declining by 3.8 % (2015) and 3.5 % (2016) respectively. By 2017, the recession had bottomed out and GDP had risen slightly by 1 %. After sharp declines in the recession years, Austrian export figures to Brazil have now been recovering for two years. In 2017 Austria was able to increase its exports by 26.4 % year-on-year to EUR 725 million, and in the first three quarters of 2018 there was a further increase of 19.3 %.
January 23, 2019
Austria Signed Memorandum with Economic Chambers of Western Balkan States
The representatives of the Economic Chamber and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harald Mahrer and Karin Kneissl, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Chambers of the Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. The aim is to strengthen regional cooperation at the economic level, particularly in the area of dual vocational training.
January 18, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Trade Strategy: Growth, Jobs, Prosperity
In a joint event in the Aula of Sciences, the Federal Government's new foreign trade strategy was presented by Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and President of the Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer. The key points of the strategy are the following: Perspective, value orientation, location effect, focal points, future orientation, communication, efficient coordination.
December 20, 2018
Cooperation with the Indian Film Industry: Bollywood in Austria
Indian production companies visit potential film locations in Austria for future films. With the aim of exploring Austria as a backdrop for future Bollywood films, six producers from India's most renowned production houses will be visiting Austria from 9 to 15 September 2018.
September 7, 2018
Harald Mahrer: Economic Chamber Has 8 Million Members
In his inaugural speech, the new President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Mahrer, calls for more leeway for companies and the further development of the social partnership into a partnership for the future and announces an education offensive.
May 25, 2018
US Termination of the Iran Agreement: Major Effects on Austrian Exports Expected
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber fears that the Trump decision will have a massive negative impact on the Iran business of Austrian companies. It will probably be extraordinarily difficult in the future to establish the necessary payment channels for legitimate transactions.
May 17, 2018
Austrian Exports to the Palestinian Territories Better than Ever
Despite the current tensions between the State of Palestine and Austria over the participation of Ambassador Martin Weiss in the US Embassy Opening Ceremonies, the Austrian Foreign Trade Centers Amman and Tel Aviv are planning a Fact Finding Mission to Ramallah and Amman for the second half of 2018. Austrian exports of goods to the Palestinian Territories increased by +108% in 2017.
May 17, 2018
Iran-Deal Withdrawal: Consequences for Iran-Austrian Economics Relations
About 50 Austrian companies have branches in Iran. Austrian exports to Iran rose by 9.2 percent to 301 million euros in 2017; imports increased by 18.5 percent to 119 million euros. A JCPOA supported only by the EU, Russia, China and Iran is not sufficient in the medium and long term to create the necessary investments and renewals in Iran. Without the US on board, international banks and large companies will continue to shy away from activities in Iran. Secondary sanctions will contribute to this.
May 11, 2018
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