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WKO Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce


Austria: Reduction in Working Hours at ÖBB

So far, the trade association of railways at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) has rejected the reduction of working hours at the Austrian Railways (ÖBB).
June 20, 2013


Alpine: Thousands of Jobs At Risk

Alpine’s Insolvency could cost thousands of people’s jobs. According to Social Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer, the Social Ministry would utilize all means to prevent a worst-case scenario. Alpine's affiliate in Germany is filing for bankruptcy as well.
June 20, 2013


WKO Export Day in Vienna

On June 20, the Export Day (Exporttag) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) will take place in Vienna. Economic delegates from all over the world will be present.
June 8, 2013


Austria: Leitl Welcomes Latvia to Join Eurozone

Head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Leitl considers the Euro adoption as an important political signal for the cooperation and the strengthening of the European currency union.
June 5, 2013


Leitl: „There Is No More Time To Waste“

Switzerland and Sweden pull away from the rest of the European countries in regard to international competitiveness, according to the latest IMD report, while Austria has been falling behind.
May 31, 2013


Leitl: „EU Has To Deliver Clear Confession to Business Location Europe”

According to Leitl, the EU Summit has to deliver a “clear confession to business and industrial location” Europe.
May 22, 2013


Austria: Biggest Investor in Serbia

Serbia encourages Austrian enterprises to further invest in Serbian industries.
May 16, 2013


EU Commission: Action Plan for Steel Industry in Europe

During his visit to Linz, EU Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani announced measures for the steel industry in Europe.
May 7, 2013


Leitl: „Cut of Base Rate by ECB Important and Necessary Signal“

President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl welcomed the cut of the main refinancing rate to 0.5 percent.
May 2, 2013


Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina to Commence Dialogues

Bosnia-Herzegovina shows interest in Austrian social partnership model and measures against increasing youth unemployment rate.
April 18, 2013


Austria: Number of Small-Business Owners Increased Marginally

In 2012, there were around 251,000 one-person-businesses in Austria which is 11,000 more than in 2011.
April 16, 2013


Austria: How to Benefit from Positive Labor Market Situation

Increasing number of employees should be reason to initiate economic stimuli and focus on investment incentives, states Leitl.
April 2, 2013


Austria Showing Less Reforming Zeal

According to the so-called „D-A-CH-Reformbarometer“, a study which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, Austria’s will to reform has diminished.
March 20, 2013


Austria: Welfare Fraud Costs € 1bn Per Year

According to a study, which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and carried out by the Johannes-Kepler University in Linz, social fraud causes a smaller amount of economic damage than fiscal evation and black labor.
March 19, 2013


Leitl: "Restructuring Instead of Cashing in"

Christoph Leitl, head of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), dismisses further plans for a tax hike. The outcome would be fatal and the economy exposed to threats.
March 6, 2013


Austrian Exports Reach new All-Time High

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) today presented the foreign trade results of 2012. This year, WKO´s President Christoph Leitl expects s moderate increase in exports.
February 21, 2013


Austrian Governing Parties Disagree on EU Budget

The Austrian people´s party (ÖVP) has criticized Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ). The social democrats argue that the coalition partner ÖVP has “no team sprit”.
February 11, 2013


Fischer Meets Kirchner

The Austrian President Heinz Fischer has started his state visit in Argentina.
December 3, 2012


9,500 Multinational Companies in Austria

Austria´s Minister of Social Affairs Rudolf Hundstorfer stresses the importance of multinational companies.
November 23, 2012


Austria Third Largest Investor in Czech Republic

According to the Czech President Vaclav Klaus, his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl, the bilateral trade relations are expandable.
November 14, 2012


Slovenia and Austria to Deepen Co-Operation

The Slovenian Minister of Economics Radovan Zerjav and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl want to intensifiy the economic co-operation.
November 8, 2012


New Record for Bilateral Trade Between Poland and Austria

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce underlines the close and friendly relationships between Poland and Austria.
November 8, 2012


Austrian-Ukrainian Trade Relations Show Development Potential

According to Richard Schenz, Vice President of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), the economic relations between Austria and the Ukraine are excellent.
October 25, 2012


„Strengthening Relation with Russia“

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) argues that Europe must co-operate closer with Russia in order to manage the crisis.
October 25, 2012


Growing Pressure on Viennese Location for Headquarters

The Viennese Chamber of Commerce intensifies the dialogue with international headquarters. In autumn, the first headquarter congress will take place in Vienna.
July 21, 2012


Stable Outlook for Austrian Industrial Sector

Austrian industrial enterprises expect production, order intake and employment tob e stable in the second half of 2012. The uncertainty remains.
July 11, 2012


Large Saudi Delegation in Vienna

A memorandum of understanding in Austrian Federal Economic Chamber between the Austrian Republic and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be signed.
July 9, 2012


“Market Place Austria 2012” on 3rd October in Vienna

"Marketplace Austria" gives buyers from all over the world unique opportunity to meet Austrian suppliers and producers from the food and drinks sector and to find new business partners.
June 25, 2012


Austria´s Exports to Asia on the Rise

Last year, Austrian exports totaled € 122bn. Above all, exports to emergin markets Brazil, India and China are growing.
June 21, 2012


Leitl Underlines Good Relations with Hungary

At the visit of Hungary´s Viktor Orban, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) stresses the long-term commitment of Austrian enterprises in Hungary and claims legal security in return.
June 14, 2012


Austria to Expand Relations with Cyprus

Federal President Fischer and WKO´s President Leitl accomodated the Cypriot-Austrian Business Forum. Economic relations show potential for expansion and further development.
June 4, 2012


"Europe Needs Economic Growth and Budget Discipline“

Structural reforms are necessary to make Europe sustainably more competitive, Christoph Leitl, President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO) says.
May 26, 2012


Austrian Chamber of Economics Claims Growth Package

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce thinks that Austria and Europe would both need growth and austerity measures.
May 25, 2012


Labor Time: Resistance Against SPÖ´s Plans

The governing Social-Democrats want to reduce labor time. Industrialists, the Chamber of Commerce and FPÖ decline that idea.
April 17, 2012


Foreign Trade: „We are on the Right Way“

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce comments the export development: “The data of January show that we are on the right way.”
April 7, 2012


Austrian Industrial Sector Faces Uncertainties

The Austrian industries expect a stagnation of business. Economic growth is low, export growth will be decent. Moreover, the order stock is declining.
April 4, 2012


Austrian Chamber of Commerce Underlines Importance of South Tyrol

The President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO), Christoph Leitl, met South Tyrols governor Luis Durnwalder and stresses the good political and economic relationship between South Tyrol and Austria.
March 24, 2012


2,000 New Jobs Created by Foreign Enterprises

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of foreign direct investment in Vienna. Last year, 126 foreign enterprises came to Vienna.
March 22, 2012


Wirtschaftsbund: Leitl Re-Elected

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has been re-elected as chairman of Wirtschaftsbund. 92.7% of the delegates voted for Leitl.
March 10, 2012


Leitl: „Austerity Package Is Not Enough“

For Christoph Leitl, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), the recently resolved austerity package does not contain the essential reforms.
March 9, 2012


Austrian Economy Appreciates Serbian Approach to EU

Serbia officially became candidate for the EU-access. Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the “European perspective” for Serbia.
March 2, 2012


Leitl Pushes for Reforms

The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce appreciates that actions worsening the Austrian business location conditions were prevented.
February 15, 2012


Rise in Rents Expected

The abandoned speculation term on Austrian real estate could lead to a sudden increase in rents.
February 11, 2012


Support for AUA´s Management

Christoph Leitl, President of Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), shows support for the management of Austrian Airlines.
January 31, 2012


Temporary Work on the Rise

2.3% of the Austrian workforce are temporary workers. With 75,000 persons, this is a new record.
January 30, 2012


Austrian Economy Pushes for Austerity

In order to prevent new taxes, the Austrian Chamber of Commmerce and the Federation of Industries call for austerity measures.
January 5, 2012


Dispute Over Part Time Work

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the trade union disagree over the advantages and disadvantages of part-time work for employees.
January 3, 2012


Austria´s Industry Supports Croatia´s EU Accession

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce sees a huge interest of the domestic economy in Croatia´s EU accession. In 2010, Austria was the largest investor.
December 10, 2011


Austrian Exports to Morocco Booming

In spite of the turbulent developments in the Arab region, the Maghreb state could maintain a strong economic growth. In 2011, Austrian exports to Morocco rise by 16%.
November 26, 2011


Leitl Promotes Exports to BRICS-Countries

The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl, wants the exporting industries to focus more on Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
November 22, 2011