AUSTRIA, October 19 - The Austrian Foreign Ministry’s Corporate Service, in cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, held its semi-annual event “Business Location Austria” on 20 October 2022. The goal of this event series, a part of the ReFocus Austria initiative, is to connect actors from the domestic economic, tourism, and corporate landscape with representatives of other countries who are accredited in Austria. The latest iteration of the event focussed on the Austrian Länder of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.

The diplomats of other countries who are accredited in Austria are bridge-builders; they communicate information, promote bilateral relations, and can initiate specific projects. In the context of ReFocus Austria, we can and will use these channels to open doors for the Austrian economy,

affirmed Secretary-General Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal.

This time, the event highlighted the unique features of the two westernmost Länder that make them especially interesting for foreign investors. For instance, Tyrol is one of the top 30 regions with the greatest economic strength in the EU, but it is also an exciting tourist destination. With 12 million visitors a year and just under 50 million overnight stays, it even tops cities like Vienna, Rome, and Berlin.

Meanwhile, Vorarlberg boasts world-famous brands in the food industry, and it is the global market leader for ropeway construction. The state also offers a few undiscovered diamonds in the rough, with numerous “hidden champions” headquartered in Vorarlberg.

Even if they are largely seen as ‘hidden champions’, our domestic businesses are already superstars in the eyes of industry experts. The job of the Corporate Service is to give them access to an even wider audience. This initiative helps us do that, and it also provides long-term job security in Austria,

said Corporate Service Director Ulrike Ritzinger.

As part of the ReFocus Austria initiative, the more than 100 Austrian representation offices in the Foreign Ministry – also known as Team Austria – work with the Ministry of Economy and other federal ministries, the Austrian Economic Chamber, and the Austrian National Tourist Office to strengthen foreign trade through custom-tailored events and activities abroad. During the first year of ReFocus Austria, more than 300 events and projects were organised in around 85 countries on six continents.