leadingnetwork

and position Austria as a nation with an attractive business location and a strong labour market. For more than 20 years, the leadingnetwork has been a sign for quality and economic stability.

leadingnetwork are particularly noteworthy as regards to their innovative capacities. One in three Euros goes back to domestic companies as regards to investments in research and development. Austria’s large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also benefit from this: more than half of the SMEs generate between 30 and 70 percent of their turnover through business relations with companies. leadingnetwork also significantly define us as an export nation. Hidden champions in particular have managed to develop their know-how to become market leaders in their respective fields.

As Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy, we pursue an integrated economic policy. To promote economic activity, a broad range of support services and funding programs is offered, e.g. through our state-owned agencies like the Austrian Business Agency (ABA), the Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

Due to the dedication and passion of many entrepreneurs, our relatively small country enjoys an excellent reputation in the world. Moreover, its location at the geographical centre of our continent brings about countless opportunities to stimulate our economy. It is essential that we work together to make the most of this potential, especially in globally uncertain and challenging times.

The Austrian Federal Government is committed to moving the country forward responsibly with innovative solutions. In order to safeguard jobs and maintain added value, it is crucial that Austria retains its global competitiveness. A functioning and stable economic and financial system provides a solid basis for securing our prosperity and plays a key role in overcoming current challenges such as climate change, globalisation and digitalisation.

That is why Austria also focuses on encouraging especially creative people. In particular, the commitment shown by young talents plays a major part in the implementation of modern technologies and their resulting positive impact on our society. Digitalisation is a transformative force that will play a crucial role in Austria’s standing as an innovation and business location and thus in the economic stability of our country. One of the challenges for a successful and sustainable future will be to harness the huge technological advances and integrate them into existing processes in a smart way.

As the Federal Government, we also have the responsibility to ensure our society’s respectful and peaceful coexistence in order to provide for the stability needed to effectively tackle upcoming challenges. Based on this everyday cooperation, we thus secure prosperity for families and create perspectives for the future of our children.

The COVID-19 crisis has made life exceedingly difficult for us in recent months. It is not only a health crisis; it has also had a severe effect on the economy and thus for Austrian businesses. As the federal government, it is our job to provide support for companies which are suffering from this situation through no fault of their own, and to help them through this difficult phase. 

But that alone will not suffice. It is important that we invest our way out of the crisis with foresight. Here, it is above all the large number of successful companies in Austria which can play a decisive role, because with investments in modern technologies – such as those in the fields of climate change and digitalisation to name just two – we can get our economy back on track and strengthen it in an international context. The recovery packages created by the federal government until now have been put together with this goal in mind. If we stick together, invest wisely, act boldly and put our trust in the ability of Austrian businesspeople to innovate, I am sure that we can emerge successfully from this crisis. And by the way, many future-oriented businesses can be found in „leadingnetwork“. 

I wish all readers an enjoyable time browsing through the expanses of the Austrian corporate landscape. And at the same time, I wish all businesspeople great success, and above all courage. You all make an essential contribution towards the colourful mixture of companies which make Austria into the business location it is.

In relation to our population size, we have the most so-called ‚hidden champions‘ worldwide-companies that are among the global market leaders in their respective industries, regardless of their size. This is something we can be proud of and we should, indeed, show it by rewarding outstanding achievements accordingly. It is, therefore, all the more gratifying that this has been happening for many years through the leadingnetwork. And right now, in the midst of the biggest economic challenge in decades, Austrian enterprises have shown that they are capable of excellence even under the most adverse conditions, and thus keep the country going. For this, we must also show our appreciation.

Just as the companies honoured with the leadingnetwork are among the best, Austria as a business location must also be among the global leaders. Digitalisation, technology, research and development are the key themes on the path to it- a modern digital infrastructure, appropriate conditions for investment, as well as the best and most creative employees for Austria’s innovative companies, are essential. Leadingnetwork, as a network, connects these enterprises, brings their services to the forefront and spurs them on to further excellence through healthy competition. And that is what makes a business location sustainably successful. So let’s honour outstanding achievements, because they deserve it; but let’s not forget to prepare the ground for them too.

We create one out of two jobs and earn six out of every ten euros in the export business.

And although the coronavirus pandemic has had a strong impact on the Austrian economy, it also highlighted the resilience of our business location. We therefore expect an increasing attractiveness of Austria as a destination for foreign direct investments after the crisis.

Austrian companies, too, are very flexible: They swiftly adapt their supply chains, establish new sourcing sites, set up new production facilities or diversify their product portfolios. Our ‘Advantage Austria’ network with offices in over 100 countries around the globe is well positioned to support our companies in their efforts. Moreover, they stand ready to assist foreign companies and stakeholders that are interested in doing business in and with Austria.

Thanks to the Austrian entrepreneurial spirit, our economy is comprised of various industry leaders as well as highly specialized, world-market ‘hidden champions’.

Leadingnetwork is a competition that rewards large, medium and small enterprises alike. The prize puts the most successful Austrian companies in the limelight and showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of Austrian businesses.