Presentation

Gudrun C. Hager has been the Austrian Trade Commissioner in Chicago since 2000. Prior positions include Head of the North America Section of the Foreign Trade Department of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Vienna; Commercial Attaché at the Austrian Embassy in Beijing, China; Commercial Attaché at the Austrian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland; and Deputy Austrian Trade Commissioner in Athens, Greece.

Austria in Brief

	RELATED Austrian Federal Economic Chamber: austriantrade.org

Given its location, Austria has since time immemorial been a cross-roads of travel routes between the major European economic and cultural regions. With a population of 8.1 million, Austria has common borders with eight other countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Austria joined the European Union on January 1, 1995 along with Sweden and Finland. Through its EU membership Austria became part of a common market, thus becoming more attractive to countries both inside and outside of the EU due to its location between Eastern and Western Europe. These factors have opened up new possibilities for both consumers and producers.

Based on per capita GDP (2002: $204 billion, per capita income of $24,580), Austria is the fifth richest EU country. It has a skilled labor force and a record of excellent industrial relations. Its economy is dominated by services, accounting for 70 percent of employment, followed by manufacturing. Small and medium-sized companies are predominant. Exports of Austrian goods and services account for more than 45 percent of GDP. Austria's major export market is the EU, accounting for 66 percent of Austrian exports, with 41 percent going to Germany and 7 percent to Italy, compared to 5 percent to the United States.

Austria’s principal exports to the United States are: machines, engines and tools; medical & pharmaceutical products; electrical machines & devices; automobiles & automotive parts; optical instruments and testing devices; iron & steel products; beverages and liquors; wood & wood products; metal products; and plastics & plastic products.

The United States’ principal exports to Austria are: automobiles & automotive parts; machines, engines and tools; aircraft; electrical machines & devices; medical & pharmaceutical products; plastics & plastic products; rubber & rubber products; chemical products; and iron & steel products.

Sponsoring Organizations

Honorary Consulate General of Austria
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
City of New Orleans
Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles, LLP
Europe/Louisiana Business Council
Louisiana Economic Development
URS - Walk Haydel
World Trade Center of New Orleans

 

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center

Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs

Consular Corps of New Orleans

International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association

International Trade Council/Red River Region

Louisiana District Export Council

Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC

Louisiana International Trade Commission

Louisiana Tax Free Shopping

Louisiana Technology Council

MetroVision Economic Development Partnership

New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
World Affairs Council of New Orleans

World Trade Club of Greater New Orleans

Cost: $25 for members of the sponsoring organizations and companies. 
$30 for non-members.

If you are a WTC member, the registration fee can be charged to your account number noted on the registration form. 

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