Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner on the business

Dear Readers,

The progress in the vaccination programme is having a positive effect on the economy. We are currently experiencing a period of recovery following months of the pandemic. Economic experts are predicting an economic growth of 3.5 percent in Lower Austria this year, and predict a growth of 4.1 percent for next year. This recovery is still in the early stages, but we are already feeling its effects.

The stages of reopening as well as the progression in the vaccination programme means Lower Austria is on the brink of an economic boom. Companies are investing once again and are employing new staff; unemployment is also falling. But with this boom, there are also some teething problems. Many companies are complaining about not being able to find qualified staff. As a result of this, the Province is committed to helping implement measures to combat the lack of skilled staff. We will only be able to secure sustainable growth and thus secure wealth in our province when we can get as many people as possible into employment.

The great, close partnerships between the Province, the municipalities and the people is the key to success and the basis for combatting both current and future challenges.

Best regards, Johanna Mikl-Leitner Governor of Lower Austria

© Markus Hintzen

TFZ Tulln is a special real estate with office and laboratory space for research and technology-oriented companies with a focus on bio-based technologies.

Lower Austrian technopoles

Technopoles are centres where research, education and business synergies are created in one location. They are located around education and research facilities and utilise this favourable location as well as the technological and scientific know-how.

c Krems – an international centre for health technology. Two local locations: Campus Krems and TFZ – Technology and

Research Centre Krems

c Tulln – centre for bio-based technologies. Key areas: food and feed safety, bio-based process technologies and agrobiotechnology c Wieselburg – an international centre for bio-energy systems and food and agricultural technology c Wiener Neustadt – medical and materials technology: focus on materials, medical technology, surfaces, tribology (friction, abrasion, lubrication) and sensors/actuators

1 2019 data, 2 2020 data , 3 preliminary figures 2020 Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institutions, Austrian Economic Chamber, Austrian Patent Office, Province of Lower Austria

Economic data

c Gross regional product in mln euros1 c Change from 2000 to 2019 61,706 +84.0%

c Gross regional product per capita in euros1 36,700 c Gross value added in mln euros1 55,154 c Production sector1 16,957 c Services1 36,872

c Members at the Economic Chamber2 138,906

c Business formations2 7,955

c Apprentices2

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000)2

c Foreign trade in mln euros3 c Imports c Exports c Total number of jobs2

c Patent issuances nationally2 16,943

4,569

23,673 20,819

624,906