New WKO boss praises and criticizes new government plans

The election was unanimous. For the tourism expert, this was a prerequisite for her candidacy. The second condition was that the management of the Tyrolean family business Schultz Group, which she had previously managed with her brother Georg, had been regulated. Both conditions were met.

Schultz had also taken over the presidency of the Economic Association from Mahrer. She will continue to hold this position. The long-time Secretary General Kurt Egger has to go though. The ÖVP energy spokeswoman will take his place Tanja Graf.

The reform

When she was appointed, Schultz again announced reforms for the WKO. A reform group has already started working. It should “further develop structures and processes and align the Chamber of Commerce more efficiently with the needs of companies,” it said in a press release. “I don’t want to waste any time and will pursue this path of reform together with the parliamentary groups,” promised Schultz. “The goal remains to present the first results in June.”

Schultz criticized the results of the government meeting yesterday. She sees the planned introduction of a plastic tax on non-recyclable plastic as “dispensable”. “Such measures must not become a burden for industry and trade – especially because the government has taken up the cause of wanting to reduce bureaucracy.” Especially in economically challenging times, an overall strategy is needed that balances relief and ecological goals – not new costs in the value chain. The same also applies to the announced reporting obligations for trade. Here we are trying to combat symptoms and not causes, on the back of the trade.

However, there was praise for the planned low electricity price for industry. “A favorable electricity price for industry is of central importance for the economic recovery and the international competitiveness of our location.”

The announcements of a reduction in non-wage labor costs given the appropriate budgetary situation as well as a further bureaucracy reduction package by summer 2026 also met with their approval.klee