Austria’s UAE exports may reach €600m

Austrian exports to the UAE, its most important business partner in the Middle East, are forecast to reach €600 million in 2012 compared to €570 million in 2011, the new Austrian ambassador to the UAE, said on Wednesday. Peter Elsner Mackay, who arrived in the UAE just three days ago, told Khaleej Times at the inauguration of Austria Business Centre, serviced offices in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, that Austrian imports from the UAE were €73 million in 2011. “The first six months of 2012 have shown good results and we are confident of positive growth,” he said. “Business relations between Austria and the UAE are developing very well. There are 220 Austrian companies and their subsidiaries operating in the UAE while there is a further need to establish more,” he said. The ambassador said that Austrian businesses are mostly made of small and medium sized companies and facilities like Austria Business Centre in Dubai are suitable for such businesses which can serve the wider GCC region out of Dubai. He said that he would work to increase trade between the two countries and planned to bring a high level government delegation from Austria to the UAE next year. Valeri Babak, President of Austria Business Centre, said that business activity was on the rise in Dubai and his centre offered ready to start work facility for new businesses. He said JLT was selected as the venue because it is a free zone, have a nice location and is  made for mix use. Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner of legal consultancy HPL Yamalova and Plewka JLT, explained that the demand for offices in the free zone was high because it offers a broad range of licences to choose from and the rates are affordable. “Many new companies want to take one step at a time. Once they have a ready office, it becomes easy for them to get licence, it saves time,” she said. The Austria Business Centre, founded by the Kleindienst Group, is a modern, contemporary business centre for small, medium and large size companies. It offers a stylish and contemporary office environment for all types of businesses. Any type or size of business can find its home in one of the office facilities of the Austria Business Centre.  The office solutions are easy to start up, fast and efficient and they can be accessed without any administrative or financial obstacles. The tenants choose from a wide range of intelligent office solutions and business set-up packages. From : Khalij