The future of medium -sized businesses: Experts debate opportunities and challenges

The future of medium -sized businesses: Experts debate opportunities and challenges

On June 12, 2025, as part of a lively panel discussion, representatives from business and politics met in the premises of the Logistics company Transportex in order to discuss the acute challenges of medium -sized companies in Austria. Among the participants were the Tyrolean member of the state parliament Georg Dornauer (SPÖ), Sebastian Kolland (ÖVP), Senator Manfred Kimmel and Kr Harald Höpperger from Höpperger Environmental Protection. This round once again made it clear that it is time to shape the future of Austria's business location.

The main topic of the evening was Austria's competitiveness. Manfred Kimmel reported on his impressive career from the professional athlete to an entrepreneur, who is characterized by personal blows of fate. He emphasized that medium -sized companies as a backbone of the economy not only supported, but also has to be actively promoted. The discussion revolved by various factors that put a strain on the entrepreneurial environment, such as the high bureaucratization, sudden increasing wage costs and a reform backlog that inhibits progress. The national over -regulations, better known as "Gold Plating", and the increasing energy costs ensure additional pressure on companies.

positive trends for medium -sized businesses

unity prevailed in the round about the need to improve framework conditions. Dornauer and Kolland expressed hope that the middle class is on the right track to the turnaround. Dornauer emphasized that both federal politics and the EU are responsible for supporting medium -sized companies. Kolland emphasized the robustness and resilience of the Austrian companies, a foundation stone on which the country can build.

family -run companies play a special role, as Höpperger noted. He represents the conviction that their strength can contribute to the stable development of the business location. Kimmel also emphasized the importance of his employees and thanked them for their tireless efforts, without which the company's success would not be conceivable.

challenges and opportunities

Austria's competitiveness is on the brink, as various studies show. Because, according to a report on Marie.wko.at, a comprehensive package of measures with less bureaucracy, lower wage costs and targeted promotion of specialists could raise significant potential. The economy is very extensive to export; Over 50% of the gross domestic product come from abroad. Here it is important to apply and in particular to reduce the labor costs that are in international comparison in the rear places. There is also a need for improvement in the areas of infrastructure, innovation and science in order not to fall back in European competition.

In order to meet these challenges, industry and politics have to work hand in hand. A current forecast study shows that suitable reforms could increase the GDP by 2030 by around 43 billion euros. Such measures would immediately be decisive to secure prosperity and employment in the long term.

With a end of the discussion, in which the participants had the opportunity to let the evening end in the case of house tours, delicious cocktails and a buffet from the Edernalm Kössen, it became clear once again: In cooperation, the strength is to meet the challenges of Austria.

For more details on Austria's competitiveness and the challenges and opportunities based on it, take a look at the reports from meinzirk.at, [marie.wko.at] (https://marie.wko.at/unreneichts-wettfaehheit-wo standen-wir.html) and Oebag.gv.at.