Austria: East - West business interface

Austria’s central geographical position provides ideal access to the emerging markets of Central & Eastern Europe. For instance, Vienna is just 266 km from Budapest and 299 km from Prague. The 2,000 km of modern highways and freeways, and dense network of air routes mean that all areas of Central & Eastern Europe are quickly reachable from Austria.

Thanks to Austria’s membership in the European Union, not only can all the benefits of the single market be exploited, but the country’s role as a crossroads between North and South, East and West provides strategic advantages for companies involved in international trade. Experienced Austrian freight forwarding companies, and excellent transportation links via road, rail, inland waterway and air ensure good logistics.

Apart from its ideal geographical location, Austria has the additional advantage that it serves as a center for a large number of service companies with outstanding Central & East European know-how.

And the Austrian banking sector is also exceptionally familiar with the region. The banks‘ financial experts have a great deal of in-depth knowledge of the markets in question, and they have built up strong networks of branches throughout the transitional countries.

Austria’s economic, social and political stability is a further significant advantage.The low crime rate and the high security of justice is very attractive to foreign investors.

Because of all these advantages over one thousand transnational companies have opted for Austria as a business location, and use it as a base to coordinate their Central & Eastern European operations. More than 1,000 renowned concerns have set up East-West headquarters in Vienna.