WK President Peter Nemeth also identified tendencies that are hindering economic development in the country: “We are not starting to dismantle borders, but perhaps to rebuild new ones.”
“Economic models are being developed that have nothing to do with a free market economy, but actually we are going into a planned economy,” Nemeth told journalists. Burgenland particularly benefited from Austria’s accession to the EU. At the moment there is a risk that the impulse motor, which is largely driven by EU subsidies and eastward expansion, will stutter.
In order to be able to manage a location successfully, three strategic fields of action are essentially important in the coming years – digitization, infrastructure and the labor market, Nemeth stated.
“Signals that are being sent out to us today from the country where they actually want to nullify a collective agreement with a new, statutory minimum wage are not beneficial,” said Nemeth. It is also significantly perceived beyond the borders, “how does the state’s policy on a free economy, like a market economy.” When it is already being discussed “whether we can afford 1,700 euros net for various areas and not even the country implements it everywhere in its own societies, it is a populist tale to maximize the vote. It is definitely an economically harmful tale. “
Corona is certainly also responsible for declines in many areas because these industries are still making little or no turnover, according to Nemeth: “It is, however, the case that these entrepreneurs actually make this difficult one because of the funding measures that are available and the assistance Can survive time. “
The need to catch up in climate protection and digitization
The main areas where Burgenland can get an economic advantage are climate protection and digitization. “We have a lot of catching up to do here,” said MEP Christian Sagartz (ÖVP). In the European development program, a total of 750 billion euros would be available, plus the seven-year financial framework, said Sagartz, who reiterated the ÖVP’s call for a state-owned fiber optic company to be set up in Burgenland.
Now you have to use the European funds and set up the funding programs in such a way that you can meet the ambitious goal of the European Commission of becoming climate neutral by 2050. “Now it is important to rely on photovoltaics,” said Sagartz, who appealed: “Let us, as the Province of Burgenland, use these funding opportunities. Let us use these many billions that are now ready for collection with the state’s own programs. Let us start now together, especially as Partner of the Burgenland economy to realign these funding programs. “
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