Dear readers,
 
We are glad that we could welcome so many of you to the first edition of AUSTRIA CONNECT BENELUX in Brussels. More than 70 participants were present, among them Austrian subsidiaries in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands but also Austrian companies with an interest in the Benelux market.
 
We are very pleased that Mr Michael Otter, Director General of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA and Mr Philipp Gady, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, could join us, as well as the Austrian Ambassadors H.E. Ms Elisabeth Kornfeind and H.E. Ms Melitta Schubert.
 
The conference was supported by go-international, ReFocus Austria and several sponsors. ReFocus Austria is Austria’s largest global outreach programme to support Austrian businesses abroad and a key component of the Austrian federal government‘s economic comeback plan after the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Our programme was dedicated to the three topics of
  • Digitalization and innovation
  • Energy in the 21st century: the big challenge
  • European Recovery and Resilience Plan
 
Although the three Benelux countries are smaller by area than Austria, their 30 million inhabitants generate a GDP of 1,460 billion euros, that is 3.5 times as much as Austria with 9 million inhabitants.
With an export share of 3.9%, Benelux is Austria's sixth most important export market after France and ahead of Poland. With a share of 4.3%, Benelux is Austria's fifth most important import market. No less than 300 Austrian companies have subsidiaries in this region and over 4,000 Austrian companies are doing business in Benelux. The main export products are machinery and equipment, pharmaceutical products, vehicles, electrical machines and plastics.
 
Additionally, in the service trade, Benelux is Austria's third most important export market after Germany and Switzerland, and Austria's second most important import market after Germany.
 
One of the main targets of the AUSTRIA CONNECT event was to strengthen Austria’s economic ties in Benelux even further by establishing flourishing contacts and networks. We are confident that we could provide you with insight information on some of the latest economic issues. As we all know: Together we are stronger.
 
Enjoy the recap of our exciting and inspiring AUSTRIA CONNECT BENELUX conference!

Kind regards,

Michael Spalek
The Commercial Counsellor for the Benelux region