Speaker Meeting - The Austrian Embassy in London

Speaker Mr George M. Karabaczek

Subject: Austria

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George Karabaczek, Trade Commissioner & Commercial Counsellor on behalf of the Austrian Embassy in London, gave a lively illustrated introduction to the Club on comparing the nature of trade between the two countries, and how the two countries  compare in efficiency in exporting goods and services.  George, who has worked for the Austrian government for a number of years and was a member of Rotary in both Finland and India, made himself most welcome to our Club with a lively and fascinating account of the economies of two countries which are different in size, location and population - but both are members of the European Community. Austria has a population of just 8.36 million, while  the UK has a population of just over 63 million, a population  nearly eight times larger than Austria., while in size Austria has a land mass of 83.97sqkm to the UK's 242.9sq km, nearly six times larger than Austria. 

Yet despite the UK being larger size in area and population, Austria exports more to the UK than the UK does to Austria - and this is also despite the fact that the type of exports by both countries are often very similar - cars.lorries and machinery.  The reason for this inequality is probably linked to a number of factors - one is that Vocational education is very much emphasised in Austria (as it is in Germany), while less so in the UK,  and that most in Austria are employed in large companies, while in the UK most people are self-employed  or (leaving aside government employment) employed in small firms and shops.

A further difference, is that Austria has taken the advantages of being a member of the EU with enthusiasm, while this is less so in the case in the UK.  Austria's links with the EU have also helped to end old differences and difficulties arising from the break-up of the old Austrian-Hungarian Empire after the first world war.  So countries that were formerly under old Austria have been increasingly happy to trade with Austria from the 1970's onwards.  A further factor in Austria's booming economy is the large part played by tourism and winter sports; and, while tourism is important in the UK, it is not so dominant as in Austria.

On social factors, Austria currently has very low unemployment, certainly when compared with the UK.  Austria has also a considerable immigrant population, chiefly (as with German) from Turkey, and while the UK has also a large immigrant population, this is more wide-spread ethnically and more diverse in employment skills.

The Club was fascinated to see the UK held as to a mirror to Austria, to see the similarities and the differences - all presented by Georg in words and slides in a most impressive way, and all agreed that this was one of the most interesting and relevant talks  that the Club had heard for a long time. and Gorge well merited the applause that he received at the end of his presentation.

Dick Palmer Club Public Relations Officer