MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Austria Andrei Dapkiunas has met with the leadership of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, BelTA learned from the Belarusian embassy in Vienna.
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber coordinates activities and represents the interests of the Austrian business community at the national and international levels. It functions as an association of nine regional chambers and more than 100 branch associations and unions. More than half a million businesses are members of the chamber. Attending the meeting was Vice-President of the Austrian Chamber Richard Schenz and Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Gregor Postl. Richard Schenz has been Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber for over two decades. He is responsible for fostering cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Since 2000 Richard Schenz has chaired the International Chamber of Commerce ICC Austria.
The Belarusian ambassador and vice president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber discussed issues related to the Belarusian-Austrian relations in the trade and economic sector. The parties discussed preparations for the next meeting of the Belarusian-Austrian Business Council and the organization of the visit of a delegation of Austrian business circles to Belarus. The parties also discussed the prospects for implementing the agreement on expanding business ties between Austrian and Belarusian regions, which was reached during the November 2019 summit talks.
In 2020, the trade between Belarus and Austria amounted to $155.9 million (83.7% as against 2019). The Belarusian exports to Austria grew by a quarter to $26.3 million. The trade of services amounted to $147.2 million or 76.1% to 2019. Austria was the third largest investor in Belarus in 2020. The Austrian investment increased by 47.4% to $645.3 million.
