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Cross-border
economic
development
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Vienna - Bratislavaand neighboring regions
These differences in framework conditions are however constantly
evolving: an economic catch-up is underway, with common market
conditions in place (identical European standards for everyone,
convergence of social standards). If there is competition, therefore, it
is less about wage or tax dumping than a race for innovation within a
territory whose economies are increasingly interdependent. However,
the merging of economic and employment areas needs to address the
linguistic barriers as knowledge of the neighbouring country’s language
is extremely important in developing cross-border relations. Finally, the
growth of the Slovak, Czech and Hungarian economies also makes
it possible to focus the region around Vienna, which is perceived as
being a model in terms of its way of life, urban planning and level of
environmental protection.
Economic fabric
The region is characterised by the important place occupied by industry
and technical activities. An automotive industry cluster is developing,
particularly in Slovakia
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(with Volkswagen in Bratislava, PSA in Trnavá and
Kia in Žilina), as well as in Hungary (Audi in Györ, Suzuki in Esztergom).
Many manufacturers of car parts have set up nearby.
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More generally,
it is the technical trades that are the common feature of the regions
surrounding Vienna, with importance attached to “dual training” (learning
combined with work experience), which helps to strengthen the links
between colleges and companies and also fosters innovation.
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In 2012, the automotive sector accounted for 41% of Slovak industry (which in turn accounted
for 34.6% of the country’s GDP), with 926,555 vehicles produced.
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Major suppliers of the automotive industry have set up in Slovakia: Faurecia, Valeo, Delphi,
Plastic Omnium, Johnson Controls, Magna, etc.
The strategy of public players is focused on supporting businesses to
expand internationally:
Ì
Ì
Through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
, which helps
European firms to find R&D partners, businesses have received
free support in this initiative with Slovak partners.
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Ì
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For Austrian firms,
the “Go International” programme
– an
important international development tool of the Federal Chamber
of Commerce and the Federal Ministry of the Economy – has also
helped to develop cross-border exchanges between businesses,
notably by sending staff on immersion programmes with firms on
the other side of the border, with the aim of increasing knowledge
of the system in the neighbouring country and developing
interpersonal relations, thus fostering cooperation and innovation.
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A bilateral partnership with Austria that also exists with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Vienna
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