Commercial Counsellor Michael Spalek bids farewell

20. June 2025

After five wonderful years as head of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, the trade department of the Austrian embassy in The Hague, it is now time for Commercial Counsellor Michael Spalek to bid farewell to the Netherlands and start a well-deserved retirement.

© Dhr. J Snijders Fotografie / ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA / Österreich Werbung

a personal word from michael spalek

My years in the Netherlands were marked by many challenges, but also by many successes and valuable experiences.

Economically, the Netherlands is Austria's 15th most important market and Austrian exports amount to 3.5 billion euros. More than 200 Austrian companies are established and flourishing here. The past five years have been marked by major challenges, including the COVID lockdown, the Ukraine crisis with its energy problems and, most recently, the conflict in Palestine. In addition, President Trump's customs policies have caused a lot of confusion. All in all, it has not been an easy time.

Still, I am very happy to have spent this time here in the Netherlands. I think the Dutch are really happy people. They are relaxed, yet reliable and very innovative. And of course they are open to new ideas.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my team for their fantastic work in recent years, as well as my colleagues at the embassy and the Austrian National Tourist Office for their excellent cooperation. My sincere thanks also go to our stakeholders, trusted lawyers and tax advisers, without whom we could not have achieved this success.

A special thanks also goes to the companies that actively supported us at various events, such as TGW, Snowworld and Nunner Logistics. Looking ahead, I am confident that cooperation will continue to go well.

To say goodbye one last time in style and show my deep appreciation for the past years, I organised a farewell reception together with Michael Strasser of the Austrian Tourist Board last Tuesday, 17 June 2025, at Strandtent Barbarossa in Scheveningen. It was an evening full of emotions. The sun was shining brightly and the air was filled with warmth, providing the perfect backdrop for an evening full of memories and gratitude. It was a moment to cherish, an evening when we celebrated together the successes and challenges of recent years.

My successor, Mr Christian Schierer, will take office at the end of August and I am sure he will make a good start with your support.