Austria’s progressive infrastructural bloom

The Austrian province of Carinthia is not just a renowned skiing and hiking destination, it is steadily becoming characterised by its magnificent infrastructure, its location at the heart of the Alpe-Adria region, and for its up-and-coming dynamic research landscape.

Carinthia is the middle-ground between established markets in western and central Europe and the up-and-coming markets of southern and south-eastern Europe and as such is an ideal springboard for businesses looking for an inroad into these new emerging markets.

Carinthia has an attractive mix of industries, with its strongest economic sectors overtaking tourism a long time ago. The fields of metals, machine and plant engineering, plastics and wood/paper are traditionally strong fields in Carinthia. However, the local economy is also focused on future fields of growth.

The latest energy and environmental technologies combined with microelectronics, IT and communication technologies make Carinthia a forward-thinking location to do business. Numerous companies from the area have made a name both nationally and internationally with their innovative products and specialist expertise. For example, the world’s leading producer of high-quality solar thermal cells is located in Carinthia.

Dynamic research
Carinthia’s research landscape is also on the up. There are some 270 technology-related companies creating a diverse and dynamic research environment in Carinthia. A good mix of in-house, university and non-university research institutes enable companies to enter into various partnership and cooperation agreements. The Carinthian Tech Research AG in Villach, for example, conducts application-oriented research for small, medium and large companies. The focus is on the fields of sensor technology and photovoltaics. Additional R&D focal points in Carinthia include: embedded systems, energy efficiency and wood processing.

The area also offers companies highly qualified employees with practical training in numerous areas. In addition to the Alpen-Adria University and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, several apprenticeship schemes help to train young people within relevant technological sectors. Some 9,000 young, skilled workers are trained in Carinthia every year – with around 1/10 working on an industrial placement. Measured collaboration between education and the economy means that the on-going education in Carinthia can be adapted to fit the future requirements of the economy, thereby generating well-trained, employable staff.

Convincing investors
Carinthia is acknowledged by both domestic and foreign businesses as a prime investment location. Over 200 companies have chosen the region as the location to setup or expand their business since 1999. Carinthia has proven particularly successful with investors from other Austrian states, Germany and Italy. However, interest in the Alpen-Adria region has also increased in other nations such as Russia, Slovenia, US and the UK. The British company Intel Mobile Communications chose to settle in Carinthia last year and since then has been researching the field of mobile communication with over 20 employees.

Carinthian employees are impressed by the location too. Some of the largest employeers in Carinthia include Infineon Technologies Austria, which has experienced global success in the field of semi-conductor technology. The company is currently investing over €250m in expanding its headquarters in Carinthia, thereby creating over 450 new jobs primarily in the fields of semi-conductor research and development. In addition to the numerous benefits of the location, the area also has a beautiful, unique natural landscape, with a wide variety of outdoor leisure activities, Mediterranean-style flair and an attractive cultural ambience.

The Carinthian Investment Agency (EAK) provides interested companies from Austria and abroad with comprehensive information and professional advice about establishing or expanding of companies in Carinthia. The EAK team offers free support in finding suitable locations, contacting authorities and public institutions, local partners and research and educational institutes. Subsequently, the EAK was awarded the Best Inward Investment Agency Award 2012 in The New Economy.

At a glance
– Austria’s southernmost province
– Neighbouring countries:  Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Czech Republic
– Industry has overtaken tourism as the strongest economic sector
– Economic strengths: Metals, machinery and plant engineering, plastics, wood/ paper,  ICT, microelectronics, renewable energy
– R&D focal points: Sensor technology, photovoltaics, microelectronics, embedded systems
– Funding: Maximum 60 percent funding for investments in R&D, maximum 25 percent funding or investments in plant and machine construction
– Attractive group taxation, no business tax or tax on assets.

For more information
Entwicklungsagentur Kärnten GmbH – Carinthian Investment Agency
Primoschgasse 3, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
Tel: +43 463 3875 101
Email: office@madeinkaernten.at
Web: www.investincarinthia.at