Austria Celebrated at Austrian National Day Reception 2007 in Chicago Every Reason to be Proud of Austrian Economic Success
October 29, 2007
Austrians, friends of Austria and Austrians at heart met on October 26, 2007 in Chicago to celebrate at ‘The “Austrian National Day 2007”. Hosts Consul General Robert Zischg and Trade Commissioner Franz Rössler are delighted that Austria has so many good friends in the Midwest and that such strong links to Austria exist.
“2007 has been a regular year for Austria so far. 2006 highlights like the Mozart anniversary and the Austrian EU Presidency were not on this year’s agenda,” were Consul General Robert Zischg’s introductory remarks. He continued with an update on recent developments in a fast-changing European Union.
Trade Commissioner Franz Rössler spoke of his pride in Austria’s economic success. With an expected GDP growth of 3.3% this year and 2.5% in 2008, its economy will continue to grow more than the EU average. With a GDP of roughly 45,000 USD per capita, Austria is one of the richest countries in the world. Two-thirds of Austria’s economic growth already comes from the service sector and 31% from manufacturing. The Austrian economy is also becoming more international. Its companies made use of the historical opportunities arising from the political reforms of our Central and Southeastern European neighbors. Nowadays, Austria is the leading investor in this region. Altogether Austrians hold 80 billion USD in companies abroad. And international investors have some 85 billion USD invested in Austrian companies. The country’s exports throughout the world passed the 100 billion EUR benchmark last year for the first time and the alpine republic enjoys an even trade balance worldwide.
“All this would not have been possible without innovative top-notch companies,” according to Rössler. Here in the U.S. a very good range of Austrian-invested companies is also present on the market. By supporting the Austrian National Day reception the following companies with strong links to Austria would like to thank the Austrians and friends of Austria for their trust in their products and services:
Austrian Airlines – connected Chicago non-stop with Vienna
AVL North America
Batinau Design Group/TEAM 7 whose beautiful high-end, contemporary natural wood furniture you can now also buy here in Chicago at MOBILIMÖBEL on Wells Street (also see the beautiful table at the entrance)
Citibank
DHL Global Forwarding
LMT North America
PEWAG Inc. – the World’s Strongest Chain
RHI Canada Inc./Veitsch Radex-America Inc.
RZB Finance LLC
J.S. RICHTER LTD, Certified Public Accountants
SCHENKER Logistics
And those responsible for the evening’s excellent food and wine: WeinBauer Inc. and THE DRAKE HOTEL.
Rössler also took the occasion to thank the Drake Hotel’s General Manger Gregor Andreewitch for all his support in the last three years. Gregor will be leaving Chicago very soon to assume the position of General Manager at the Conrad Hotel in Tokyo.
United States
