Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD
According to the newspaper “Presse”, the price per square meter for the new “Haus der Wirtschaft” will be 3,700 euros. The building is now scheduled to be renovated by next fall while operations continue.
“Europe is becoming more and more important for our companies. A substantial part of our economic legislation has its origins in the EU,” is the WKO’s argument for the move.
The price per square meter is “comparatively cheap” by Brussels standards, said WKO Vice President Wolfgang Hesoun. The financial flexibility for the purchase was achieved through “efficient use” of funds. The building will not only be available to the chamber, but also to Austrian companies. The new building will also accommodate the WKO foreign trade office and Austria Advertising. A total of around 30 experts will work in this house.
Exports have quadrupled since 1995
Europe is increasingly becoming the home market for domestic companies. Two thirds of foreign business takes place in the EU area. “Seven out of ten euros are earned abroad,” says Hesoun. Since Austria joined the EU in 1995, exports to the EU area have more than quadrupled from 33 to 133 billion euros.
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