Economic parliament in St. Pölten: Future strategies for Lower Austria companies!

Economic parliament in St. Pölten: Future strategies for Lower Austria companies!

St. Pölten, Österreich - On May 21, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce of Lower Austria's Chamber of Commerce in the Julius-Raab hall in the WiFi in St. Pölten met. At this session, which is considered the highest resolving committee of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce, important course was set for the coming years. Wolfgang Ecker was unanimously confirmed as President of the WKNÖ for the functional period 2025 to 2030. The new presidium includes Vice President Monika Eisenhuber, Kurt Hackl, Christian Moser, Erich Moser, Thomas Salzer and Thomas Schaden.

During the session, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner congratulated the new Presidium and emphasized the central role of the Lower Austrian companies for regional prosperity and social security. The review of the past few years shows that the region was faced with many challenges, including the high energy costs, the geopolitical tensions of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the increasing bureaucracy and trade conflicts.

economic challenges and reform needs

The Winter Economic Barometer 2024 of the Economic Chamber of Economics reveals that the Lower Austrian economy is still under pressure. Out of 516 companies surveyed, 43 % stated that they wanted to plan fewer investments in the coming months. Another 28 % explain not to make any investments at all. A central point: 92 % of companies are calling for a reduction in non -wage costs. WKNÖ President Wolfgang Ecker emphasizes the urgency of measures to relieve and the need for structural reforms in order to boost growth and increase competitiveness.

Particularly high wage costs and increased energy prices were identified as the largest growth brakes. In addition, 60 % of those surveyed complain that tax incentives are required to make multi-time and full-time work more attractive. In view of these challenges, Ecker sends an appeal to the Federal Government on the reorganization of electricity grid costs and reducing bureaucracy.

Digi4wirtschaft - digitization offensive for companies

In order to support the company in the difficult times, the funding "Digi4wirtschaft" in Lower Austria is expanded. From now on, companies can apply for 2025 support that aims particularly on data optimization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner sees great opportunities for the economy in AI. In the past five years, around 2,000 projects with an investment volume of over 80 million euros have been supported.

For 2025, a total of four million euros in funding are available, which are financed by both the state of Lower Austria and the WKNÖ. The program is divided into three columns: "Digikickstart" with free workshops for digital transformation, "digiceist" with individual consulting services and "Digiinvestitondata", which offers financial support for investments in AI and data.

The constitution of the 23 district and branch offices is planned in autumn 2025, which is to further strengthen the advocacy of the Lower Austrian economy. WKNÖ director Johannes Schedlbauer emphasized the cooperation in the Presidium and thanked for the trust they have placed in them. The presentation of the annual report 2024 shows the comprehensive activities of the Chamber of Commerce in the areas of advocacy, service and education.