WKO Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce

WKÖ: Development Plan for North Africa

Given the dramatic situation in North Africa, Christoph Leitl, President of the Economic Chamber (WKÖ) pleads for a ‘European Marshall Plan'.

March 1, 2011

Mixed Results for Investors in Bosnia

The outlook for 2011 is positive. Last year, however, was difficult for Austrian companies in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

February 25, 2011

Leitl Fears Falling Back behind Asia

During a state visit to Singapore the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) again urges the Austrian government to undertake reforms.

February 24, 2011

Leitl Demands More Support for SMEs

The Small Business Act must be also implemented at national level in a sustained way, says the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber.

February 24, 2011

Kazakhstan as a Chance for Foreign Trade

Austrian Economic Chamber promotes further development of economic relations with Kazakhstan.

February 23, 2011

WKÖ: "Clear Commitment to the Brenner Base Tunnel is Needed”

The chairman of the Austrian Economic Chamber considers the tunnel between Italy and Austria as a pioneering infrastructure project.

February 23, 2011

Austrian Economic Chamber pursues contacts in New Zealand

A business delegation led by WKÖ President Leitl visits New Zealand and Australia to strenghten economic relations.

February 22, 2011

Austrian Economic Chamber in Singapore

The Austrian Economic Chamber’s delegation pursues contacts with potential partners during the state visit of President Fischer.

February 22, 2011

Austrian Economic Chamber criticizes Pension System

The Premium Model of the Economic Chambers rewards working longer instead of early retirement.

February 17, 2011

Jank: Vienna Leads in Company Start-Ups

Almost 8,000 enterprises founded in 2010, a quarter of all Austrian start-ups, comes from Vienna.

February 10, 2011

Property Restoration Provides Hopes for Growth and Employment

With the release of € 400m for thermal rehabilitation, five times as much is to be generated in sales. Up to 80% of this amount stays in Austria.

February 10, 2011

Leitl Urges to Invest in the Future

Despite consolidation needs, the government has to invest more in education, research and innovation, says the President of the WKÖ.

February 4, 2011

Leitl Demands Support for Brenner Tunnel

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber considers the Brenner Tunnel infrastructure project as crucial for the business location Austria.

February 2, 2011

New Advance for Baltic-Adriatic Corridor

The Carinthian Economic Chamber supports the information campaign of Governor Gerhard Dörfler in favor of the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor.

February 2, 2011

WKÖ Celebrates 40 years of Diplomatic Relations between Austria and China

The Austrian Economic Chamber stresses the relevance of China for Austria's foreign trade in the context of the anniversary.

January 27, 2011

"Conversations about the Future" between Austrian and Canadian IT companies

The Austrian IT industry, motivated by Canadian success models, intends to strengthen its role in the domestic economy significantly.

January 22, 2011

Expansion of Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and Austria

Cooperation with the Kazakhstan Development Bank intends to boost economic relations with the third-largest CIS trading partner.

January 22, 2011

Viennese Economic Chamber Demands Tax Relief for SMEs

The President of the Viennese Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, presents a three-stage relief model for small and medium-sized enterprises.

January 20, 2011

WKÖ Expects further Rise in Energy Prices

Due to the economic recovery, the Austrian Economic Chamber forsees further increases in oil prices. However, there also exists some saving potential.

January 20, 2011

Demand to Unburden Business Founders

The Austrian Economic Chamber demands the creation of tax and corporate law unburdening for company founders.

January 19, 2011

Slight Decline in Furniture Exports

Austria's furniture industry shows itself cautiously optimistic despite a slight decline in exports and expects production increases.

January 18, 2011

Austria's Trade Deficit with China Shrinks

Thanks to the rising export figures, the trade deficit in the traditionally negative balance with China is declining.

January 13, 2011

WKÖ endorses policy of the European Commission

The Austrian Economic Chamber welcomes the focus of the EU Commission on structural reforms, consolidation of public finances and competitiveness.

January 13, 2011

Leitl Urges Implementation of Reform Plans

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber shows himself pleased by the economic data 2010 and urges the continuation of educational and administrative reforms.

January 3, 2011

Austria's Minister of Social Affairs Wants to Extend the Years of Employment

Rudolf Hundstorfer wants to see older workers work longer, and is trying to get the consensus of businesses.

December 31, 2010

Billion Worth Qatar Holding Explores Investment Opportunities

The Austrian economy expects closer relations and potential export opportunities as the result of the state visit of the Emir of Qatar.

December 30, 2010

Leitl Demands Reforms

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber calls for more Government work in administration, health and education.

December 29, 2010

Tourists from Russia Increase

The number of Russian guests in Austria continues on the rise. A double-digit growth might even be possible again.

December 28, 2010

Economic Chamber Criticizes Import Control System

According to the WKÖ, Austrian businesses incur additional costs and bureaucracy by the import control system.

December 27, 2010

AustrianTourism Figures Increase.

According to Statistik Austria, the winter season started with positive figures in Austria: November breaks a new record in overnight stays with 3.8m..

December 23, 2010

Austria's Export Economy is Booming

Given the high growth rates in the past year, the Austrian export economy shows itself also optimistic for 2011.

December 22, 2010

Leitl: Municipal Financial Problems Act as Growth Brake

The President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), Christoph Leitl, demands greater spending efficiency in the public sector in order to improve municipal finances.

December 22, 2010

WIFI trains Russian leaders

The Austrian Institute for Economic Promotion (WIFI) functions as a partner of the Russian government in the framework of the management training program

December 21, 2010

Potential of Austria's Creative Industries

Mitterlehner and Leitl: the Austrian creative industry accounts for 60,000 cross-industry jobs and acts as an export driver.

December 20, 2010

Austrian Economic Chamber focuses Growth Market China

Minister of Economy Mitterlehner presented together with the President of the Economic Camber, Leitl, strategies for the export market China.

December 17, 2010

WKÖ: EU patent to stimulate Austrian innovation

The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) welcomes the enhanced cooperation for the EU-wide patent and hopes to obtain benefits for the domestic economy.

December 16, 2010

Austrian Economic Chamber is Against Euro-Bonds

Chamber President Leitl calls for an in-depth cooperation in economic policy instead of euro-bonds.

December 15, 2010

Economic Chamber: Cautious Optimism in Austrian Industry

Industrial production is at the level of 2006; exports are still below pre-crisis levels.

December 15, 2010

Economic Chamber: Positive Outlook for 2011

The Business Barometer presents both opportunities and risks for the Austrian economy. Shortage of skills and low investment continue being weak points.

December 13, 2010

Economic Chamber: No More Credit Crunch for Austria’s Businesses

A study by the Austrian Economic Chamber shows the high level of satisfaction of local businesses with their banks: the credit crunch has disappeared.

December 10, 2010

Austrian Economic Chamber Supports Development of the Danube as a Transportation Route

Austrian Economic Chamber President Christoph Leitl supports the EU's Danube region strategy to expand infrastructure between the Danube countries.

December 10, 2010

Economic Chamber in Tokyo: Biotechnology as an Opportunity

The President of the Vienna Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, sees above all great opportunities for Austria in Japanese biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

December 6, 2010

Leitl Vehemently Defends Euro Protection Shield

The President of the WKÖ (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber), Christoph Leitl, gives a clear answer to the euro critics: without the euro, Austria would have become a problematic case in 2009.

December 6, 2010

Austria's Industry Welcomes Electricity Reform

Whereas Industrialists and the Economic Chamber (WKO) are asking for enactment today, the Umweltdachverband (UWD, Environmental Federation) is against it.

December 1, 2010

Carinthia Back on Growth Path

A business survey in Carinthia showed an increasingly positive image. Optimism is rising.

November 30, 2010

Salary Increase in Trade up to 2.3%

Low incomes are taken more into account than higher salaries; the minimum wage in trade now amounts to € 1,300.

November 30, 2010

Carinthia Strengthens Relations with China

The Carinthian Economic Chamber President, Franz Pacher, has signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Beijing Economic Chamber.

November 29, 2010

Leitl: Finland and Austria Have Much to Learn From Each Other

Finnish ex-Prime Minister Lipponen exposes economic success secrets of his country.

November 29, 2010

WKÖ’s Secretary General Advocates for Educational and Administrative Reform

Young people have to be trained practically to meet the challenges of the future. An administrative reform should not be foregone, said Hochhauser.

November 25, 2010

Leitl Vehemently Asks the Government for Structural Reforms

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WK), Christoph Leitl, call on the government for location and future investments.

November 25, 2010
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