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Tyrol's economy on the brink: reforms and energy costs required!
Georg Knill and Barbara Thaler call for structural reforms in Austria's economic policy in order to eliminate competitive disadvantages.
Tyrol's economy on the brink: reforms and energy costs required!
In Tyrol, the need for fundamental structural reforms in the economy is becoming increasingly urgent. Georg Knill, President of the Industrial Association, has sharply criticized the economic policy of recent years and is calling for comprehensive measures to improve the economic situation. He is supported by Barbara Thaler, President of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce, who called for a reduction in energy taxation for companies in a recent statement. This is currently 15 euros per megawatt hour of electricity and represents a significant competitive disadvantage for domestic companies, especially compared to neighboring countries with lower taxes.
Thaler also emphasizes the problem of high unit labor costs and additional wage costs, which require a “very moderate” wage round in the fall. These factors contribute to companies' reluctance to invest as they operate in a difficult environment due to a lack of planning security and high energy costs. According to the current results of the Tyrolean economic barometer, 32% of the industrial companies surveyed rate the economic situation as bad, which experts see as a warning sign.
Economic conditions in Tyrol
The assessment of the economic situation varies, as the figures from the “TOP Tirol Economic Barometer” show. While 24% of companies rate the economic situation as good, 51% rate it as average and 15% as poor. However, the business climate index reached 18%, the best value since summer 2022. However, it remains alarming that 73% of those surveyed do not expect their order situation to improve, although 28% report that their order situation is currently good.
Tyrol's Economics Councilor Mario Gerber (ÖVP) supports the calls for reforms and points out the excessive burdens on companies. He particularly criticizes the fact that the high wage agreements in recent years have not led to a corresponding increase in productivity or consumption.
Reducing bureaucracy and promoting investment through the EU
The President of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce expresses the hope that the new competitiveness compass will be quickly put into practice. The strategy is intended not only to ensure the competitiveness of companies, but also to stop deindustrialization and promote new investments in promising technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Overall, the economic situation in Tyrol remains tense and requires immediate measures to increase competitiveness and promote investment. Today's challenges can only be overcome with a joint effort by politics and business.