IV: Performance and Responsibility

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) is a voluntary body representing the interests of the Austrian industry and currently comprises about 3,500 members.

The central goal of the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung - IV) is to advocate for its members both in Austria and at a European level in a targeted and sustainable manner.

The Federation's motto is "Performance and Responsibility". This reflects our efforts to promote an environment of growth, employment and prosperity in Austria and in Europe.

The Federation of Austrian Industries is run by a small team of staff and senior executives serving on a voluntary basis. Its structure comprises nine independent regional groups, a central organisation at federal level and a European office in Brussels, established in 1988.

Priorities

The most important areas of operation, topics and initiatives at a glance

The Federation of Austrian Industries is making every effort to represent the interests of its members both in Austria and at a European level and to contribute towards strengthening Austria and Europe as attractive locations for business and industry.

IV-Priorities 2012: "Generating sustainable growth and taking the lead as an industrial country"

What we want:

1. Improving framework conditions for companies:

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) promotes the improvement of Austria as an industrial and business location and calls attention to potential for improvement and increases in efficiency.

Boosting national and European competitiveness
Shaping the workforce: measures against the shortage of skilled labour
Creating future-oriented structures
Promoting budget consolidation

2. Recognising future challenges and shaping chances:

IV cooperates with companies in order to secure the future of Austria as an industrial location and knowledge base. It is the information hub and think tank for future trends and developments in society and economy.

Taking the lead in innovation: education and research as prerequisites for wealth and growth
Mastering the challenges for the industrial location 2020

3. Creating awareness - industry as a crucial part of society and social development:

IV is the firm voice of industry and promotes understanding for the challenges of economy and society.

Developing and taking responsibility for society
Actively communicating the industry's achievements for Austria

TOPIC OVERVIEW

Boosting national and European competitiveness

Leading companies: Key players of the Austrian economy
Strengthening the capital market
Focusing on emerging markets | Continuing to strengthen exports
Increasing external marketing of Austria and Europe
EU strategy for the Danube region: increasing Austria's industrial investments from Central and Eastern Europe to the Black Sea and pursuing education cooperations (skilled labour)
EU investment protection agreement

Shaping the workforce: measures against the shortage of skilled labour

Making working hours and remuneration more flexible
Reducing additional labour costs
Increasing the skilled labour potential: implementing and developing
"Skilled Workers 2020"

Creating future-oriented structures - promoting budget consolidation

State and administrative reform
Budget consolidation
Modernising the tax system
Financial viability and sustainability of the retirement system | sustainability factor
Hospital/health reform
Stability policy - integrating economic policy
Implementing other countries' best-practice models in Austria

Taking the lead in innovation: education and research as prerequisites for wealth and growth - reorganising the education system

School reform - focus on quality and autonomy
Pre-school education | kindergarten
"MINT 2020" (mathematics, IT, natural sciences, technology) - the future starts in school
Educational and vocational orientation
Higher education plan - development and implementation strategy
Striving to (re)take the lead in innovation

Mastering the challenges for the industrial location 2020