Austria, an exporting country, benefits from free and fair trade agreements – Chile is an important partner for essential raw materials and green technology
Vienna (OTS) – The Industrial Association (IV) welcomes today's decision in the European Parliament on the EU's free trade agreement with Chile. “Austria is an exporting country with an export share of around 60 percent. Around 1.2 million jobs are guaranteed through the export of national products. Fair free trade agreements with reliable partners – like the one in Chile – are an important basis for national industry, which guarantees jobs and prosperity in our country,” said Georg Knill, President of the Industrial Association. Chile is rich in raw materials that are particularly needed in Europe for the green transformation – for example in the production of batteries.
Take advantage of the opportunity with the Mercosur agreement
Trade relations between the EU and Chile have a long tradition. The current association agreement has been in force since 2005. In addition to further reducing trade obstacles, the newly signed agreement has now been modernized with a focus on essential raw materials. Austrian companies invested around 80 million euros in Chile, earned 260 million euros from merchandise exports last year and have around 50 branches there. Subsequently, the time would come to finally conclude the free trade agreement with the South American Mercosur region, made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The agreement would create a free trade area of 700 million people. “We hope that the Commission will finally move forward in concluding the agreement with the Mercosur region. It would also be necessary for Austria to rethink its position and stop being a blocker to become a creator of free and fair trade”, demands Knill.
Questions and contact:
Industrial Association
Marlena Mayer
Press spokesperson
+43 (1) 711 35-2315
[email protected]
https://iv.at/