Invest in the Future Now

The crisis continues and the end is not foreseeable, even though the coming year is expected to bring some relief. Austria is in a comparatively good position. The measures that have been set to date by the federal government in cooperation with Europe have been effective, but further efforts are required.

Our top priority has to be the battle against unemployment, and particularly among youth. However, fighting the crisis is only one aspect of politics. Parallel to that, we have to invest in the future now; in other words, in a modern, ecological infrastructure, with research, technology and education. Besides a modern, high-capacity infrastructure, a functioning legal system and an intact environment, Austria as a business location is characterized by social stability and a well-trained, dedicated workforce.

Another factor is that Austria has taken advantage of its historical opportunities. In 1989, Austria saw a remarkable year for the economic development of our country. The fall of the Iron Curtain did not only bring political and social change, but also opened up new markets. Throughout the last 20 years, Austria has become a great deal more versatile and more attractive as a business location.

The crisis has also hit the Eastern-European countries hard, but their great need to make up economic leeway will have a dynamic effect in the foreseeable future. There is much hope that Austria will live up to the unique challenge as the interface between Western and Eastern Europe.

All these factors are not only trump cards in the global competition, but also the criteria for a highly developed society. Therefore it is important that the economic crisis not trigger a social crisis. New sources of financing need to be opened up, so that the financial burden is not distributed unjustly. This will require a great deal of political creativity and political willpower.

Innovation, sustainability and social stability – these are the key words for securing our status as a business location. This is not only a mission for politics; more so than recently, it will again come down to economic management with social responsibility in mind. Terms like justice and solidarity are en vogue again, because social cohesion has not worn out as a factor for a business location – on the contrary.

I wish for the publication “Business Location Austria” to be able to provide the stimulus that is needed, especially in a time of economic difficulty.