(Ekapija-INTERVIEW) Trade Attache of Embassy of Austria Dr. Josef Treml - Why are Austrian companies attracted to Serbia's market?

Dr. Josef Treml, Trade Attache in the EConomic sector of the Embassy of Austria to Belgrade

Old acquaintances are best overture to successful business

Because of its geographic position and long-term friendship and acquaintance, Serbia and its market are becoming more and more attractive to numerous Austrian businessmen, which is confirmed in the interview the Trade Attache in the Economic sector of Embassy of Austria to Belgrade, Dr. Josef Treml, gave to Ekapija. He pointed out that large Austrian business was looking at the region of western Balkans as at one of its most serious development priorities.

According to his words, there are total of 186 big, mid-sized and small Austrian companies that operate in Serbia and maintain contacts with the economic office of Austrian Embassy, although it is not the final number since there are many Austrian companies that operate independently on this territory, i.e. without any coordination with the diplomatic missions.

(There is never enough business cooperation: Josef Treml)

- If you ask me if these 200 or so Austrian companies that operate in Serbia are more than enough, my answer is, of course - no! However, when comparing with the number of companies that arrived to this market from some other European countries, we should be more than satisfied. I think that the main reason for such and that big interest of Austrian companies in expanding their operations to Serbia is, first of all, the fact that all of them are willing to take a risk and try things that many hesitate about. As far as investments in Serbia are concerned, Austrian companies are exceptionally in the mood for something like that, first of all because they know local market very well and because they know that it is not that uncertain and unstable as media like to call it.

*How important are the partnerships that Austrian businessmen had before with the entrepreneurs from Serbia today when many of them are trying to come again to the Serbian market?

- Almost all businessmen in Austria insist on the fact that they know people they do business with. Because of that, acquaintances and contacts that they had with the Serbian entrepreneurs in the 1990's is of great importance today and these relations make many things easier to do. It is very often that some Austrian company comes to our office and knows exactly who can be its potential partner in Serbia, i.e. the company that is perfect for negotiations and cooperation. Big contribution to all this is given by the Serbs who live and work in Austria. Many of them are employed in the companies that are interested in doing business on the market of Serbia and, since there is no language barrier for them, the employers often let them do the talking with the local partners, suppliers, distributers, etc.

*Which Austrian companies are the most active on the market in Serbia at the moment?

- These companies are, first of all, companies that have the most energetic marketing and promotive campaign in Serbia, i.e. their advertisements, slogans and messages can be seen in the streets and on the billboards. The first on that list are Austrian banks, such as Raiffeisen bank, Hypo Alpe Adria Bank and HVB Bank, then there is insurance company "Winer Stadtische" and, of course, oil company OMV. However, that is not the end of the list, since "Siemens", "Henkel" and many other Austrian companies with the world-renowned and branded names and production assortment operate successfully on the market of Serbia.

(Friendship is the best ticket for every deal)

*What is the situation with Austrian small and mid-sized enterprises?

- Big number of these companies is very active on the market in Serbia, but we do not see them often in public. However, there are really many such companies in Serbia today and they are, mainly, trade and catering enterprises. Literally, you can find in Serbia Austrian companies that deal with all kinds of businesses. Recently, I have been at the opening of the office of certain company that intends to distribute world-quality microphones in Serbia. The vicinity plays important role in all that. It takes 5 and half hours to come from Vienna to Belgrade by car and Austrian really like to work on the locations that can be reached relatively quickly by car. Therefore, our companies on the territory of western Balkans are stronger than in China or, let's say, Latin America.

*Are Austrian companies satisfied with the service your office provides for them?

- I think that we provide very good service. Very wide, but, at the same time, very specialized service. Our office functions as "one-stop-shop" and we are really giving our best to provide everything Austrian companies needs in order to start business in Serbia. Our marketing service is researching market for them, we inform them on the key features of the local economic environment, laws, and we often organize the meetings between Serbian and Austrian businessmen, with the hope that some of them may become business and strategic partners.

*How do you describe Serbia when someone from Austria asks you for the people and the life style in it?

- The first thing I say is that everything they heard is true. This is beautiful and pleasant place to live in. The people are, also, very kind and the number of people who speak English language fluently is growing. There are many parks and unpaved surfaces in Belgrade, as well as outdoor coffee shops. I think that special kind of the Mediterranean way of life is present here. The food is a story for itself and almost all Austrian citizens know that very well, since the Serbian restaurants with kebabs and other grilled meat on the menu were the first foreign restaurants that appeared in Austria, much before Chinese and other international cuisines.

(Belgrade's river mouth)

*What does especially fascinate you in Belgrade?

- It is very hard for me to make such selection, but I will decide for the people, nature and, of course, the river mouth. Also, Ada Ciganlija is the place I love to visit and where, if the business obligations let me, I am jogging at least two times a week. I love to go to the Belgrade cinemas, especially the small ones, and to Bitef teatar and Old cinema on Kalemegdan with my friends. This year I decided to visit TRumpet Fair in Guča, because I heard many fine stories about it, but I have never been able to check if they are true.

I. Aranđelović