Austria is a federal parliamentary republic. The head of state is the federal president, elected for six years in direct elections, who appoints members of the federal government. The Austrian parliament is bicameral, consisting of the National Council and the Federal Council. The federal chancellor is at the head of the government.

Austria is one of the Czech Republic’s important foreign policy and trade-economic partners. Current excellent and intensive mutual relations correspond to the frequency of political, economic, cultural, as well as interpersonal contacts. The intensification and deepening of the political dialogue at all levels took place during the new stage of bilateral relations, which was introduced by the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries in April 2014. Although the Czech Republic and Austria have different opinions on some issues (production or use of nuclear energy), it is substantive debate is conducted at the political level, which contributes to building and developing a good neighborhood. Closely related to this is the active development of cross-border cooperation, economic relations, transport infrastructure, but also cooperation in the field of culture, education and social affairs.

The Austrian economy is highly developed, open and very export-oriented. Strong domestic consumption, demand in major export markets, high-level infrastructure, efficient administration and stability contribute to the growth of the service-based economy. The strength of the Austrian economy also lies in its industrial tradition, tourism and foreign trade. Austria is a leader in the use of technologies that protect the environment and improve sustainability. Currently, Austria obtains 34-35% of its energy from renewable sources. By 2030, Austria plans to produce all electricity using renewable sources, with 70% of the energy produced in this way already in the world leader. Austria is one of the very conservative markets. With huge competition, it is necessary for Czech companies that want to succeed on the Austrian market to they entered it fully prepared. Austrians prefer traditional domestic and proven brands and emphasize quality, Czech goods nevertheless enjoy a solid reputation and the Czech Republic is considered a supplier of quality industrial products.

Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)

Central emergency call: 112

Medical emergency service: 144

Police: 133

Firefighters: 122

Mountain rescue service: 140

Vehicle faults (ÖAMTC and ARBÖ): 120 or 123

Important web links and contacts

Official website of the President: www.bundespraesident.at/alexander-van-der-bellen

Government and state administration bodies

Chancellor’s official website: www.karl-nehammer.at

Federal Chancellery: www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at

Austrian Parliament: www.parlament.gv.at

Ministry of Labour: www.bma.gv.at

Ministry of Education, Science and Research: www.bmbwf.gv.at

Ministry for European and International Affairs: www.bmeia.gv.at

Ministry for Digitization and Business Environment: www.bmdw.gv.at

Ministry of Finance: www.bmf.gv.at

Ministry of the Interior: www.bmi.gv.at

Ministry of Justice: www.bmj.gv.at

Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Services and Sports: www.bmkoes.gv.at

Ministry of Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology: www.bmk.gv.at

Ministry of Defense: www.bmlv.gv.at

Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism: www.bmlrt.gv.at

Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection: www.sozialministerium.at

Laws, Regulations and Guidelines

Official legal information system incl. full text of laws: www.ris.bka.gv.at

Portal informing about official procedures in various life situations: www.help.gv.at

Austrian Bar Association: www.oerak.or.at

Overview of tenders and public competitions

Overview of paid and unpaid public procurement portals: www.wko.at/site/Vergabe-N-/Vergabe-Plattformen.html

Economy

Austrian Statistical Office: www.statistik.at

Foreign trade: www.advantageaustria.org/cz

Austria as a place of trade and economy: www.wsoe.at

Austrian Chamber of Commerce: www.wko.at

Austrian Trade Agency: www.aba.gv.at

Austrian National Bank: www.oenb.at

Austrian Association of Industrialists: www.iv-net.at

Austrian Association of Court Interpreters: www.gerichtsdolmetscher.at

Tourism, culture, education, science

Tourist information about Austria: www.austria.info

Guide to Vienna: www.wien.info

Austrian museums: www.museen-in-oesterreich.at

Austrian Airlines: www.austrian.com

Austrian Railways: www.oebb.at

Agency for Education and Internationalization: www.oead.at/de

Austrian school portal: www.schule.at

Komensky school association: www.komensky-vienna.at

Media

Austrian news agency APA: apa.at, www.ots.at

Austrian Broadcasting Corporation: www.orf.at

Der Standard newspaper: www.derstandard.at

Die Presse newspaper: www.diepresse.com

Weekly Profil: www.profil.at

Trend weekly: www.trend.at

Monthly Industriemagazin: www.industriemagazin.at

PaulSourcing: Ten Commandments for doing business with Austria

The PaulSourcing agency has prepared ten recommendations for doing business with Austria for Czech entrepreneurs interested in business relations with Austria. In 2020, it was supplemented with 4 current tips.

4 recommendations for entering the Austrian market during the coronavirus pandemic situation:

1. Choosing the right product and target group The Austrian market is very conservative and highly competitive. First, clarify what advantages your product has over local competition and what its added value is. Prepare quality marketing materials and websites in German, highlighting your strengths and providing your references, ideally from a German-speaking region or at least Western Europe.Determine a specific target group of entities that you want to reach with your offer and find contacts for them. You can use the free database Wer liefert wasor Firmen ABC. You can also find suitable contacts on the websites of industry associations or in the catalog of exhibitors of industry fairs (an overview can be found on the pageAUMA or Messe ). If you want to enter the Austrian market through a sales representative, you can find one using the advertisement published on the sales agents portal.
2. Addressing Austria is among the most successful countries in Europe in the fight against the coronavirus. Normal life has almost returned to normal, although many people are still working from home. Addressing partners directly can be problematic in some cases.Use the phone to contact companies. Sending emails is not enough. It is advisable to get an Austrian SIM card and call from an Austrian number. First, find out the name and ideally direct contact details of a competent contact person – the buyer – via a phone call or using the LinkedIn and Xing social networks. During the phone call, briefly present your offer and, if interested, send your German flyer, catalog, price list, or sample by email or post. After about a week, check the feedback again by phone and offer interested parties a specific date for a personal meeting. Communicate with potential partners in German. This is a great advantage, especially in the initial phase of establishing contact.
3. Preparation for the meeting
   
   Prepare well for the personal meeting. Map your main competition and be able to highlight your advantages. Know the technical parameters of your product, information on certifications, delivery times, your production capacities, logistics details, shipping costs and process your price list in euros. Be honest and don’t underestimate your partner’s knowledge. Adhere to the agreed deadlines and report any problems in advance. If in doubt, check the creditworthiness of the Austrian company on the paid portals KSVor Creditreform. Additional information can also be found in the commercial register for a fee.For the time being, foreigners can enter Austria with a negative test for covid-19. The movement of goods across borders or transit through the country without a stop is not subject to any restrictions.
4. Current opportunities Current opportunities on the Austrian market can be found on the the public procurement portals Auftrag, BBG and TED Europa. In connection with the coronavirus, the Austrian Red Cross has become the main national coordinator for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment. Manages the supplier portal, where foreign companies can also register with their products. At the moment, the Red Cross is in particular demand for test kits, protective suits, face shields and FFP3 respirators.

The Ten Commandments for Trading with Austria

1. Consider the application of your product Critically assess whether your product will find application in the demanding Austrian market. Chances are mainly for products with high added value while maintaining a competitive price advantage.
2. Watch out for pressure on price Austrian business partners are consistent in their dealings, they know their limits well and usually also the limits of their business partner, so there is often consistent pressure on price.
3. Prepare well Put emphasis on home preparation, which includes, among other things, quality promotional materials and websites in the German language.
4. Personal meetings are better Do not underestimate individual communication with potential partners. Remember that initiative is expected of you. Prioritize personal meetings, which you arrange three to four weeks in advance.
5. Be honest Be honest and open. You are expected to have a standard European demeanor and respect established business traditions. The working language is German.
6. Adhere to the agreed terms Do not inflate prices and keep your word and deadlines. Clearly justify any changes in the menu.
7. Follow the recommended procedure for operating on the Austrian market . This goes from research to finding and approaching potential partners and possible presentation at a trade fair to developing business cooperation and founding your own company. All these steps can be facilitated by the services of the PaulSourcing Vienna office.
8. Check the creditworthiness of a future business partner Do not rely on the appearance of seriousness, the economic crisis did not improve payment morale. Recently, PaulSourcing has been contacted by several Czech companies seeking to recover their debts from their Austrian partners.
9. Check contracts carefully Pay close attention to the conclusion of contracts. Consult with lawyers familiar with Austrian law.
10. Cooperate with suitable representatives In Austria, cooperation with sales representatives – experts from all sectors with the appropriate know-how – is very widespread. There are more than nine thousand of them and they mediate deals worth EUR 17.5 billion annually. PaulSourcing will help you find such a suitable representative.