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IOL News
06-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Investment and job creation: Premier Winde hosts Austrian President Van der Bellen
The Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, was received by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Saturday. Image: Premier Alan Winde/Facebook The Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, was received by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Saturday at the official Leeuwenhof residence, where they discussed opportunities for investment and job creation. This comes as Van der Bellen and the first lady of Austria, Doris Schmidauer, arrived in the country as part of a four-day working State Visit with the Austrian delegation to consolidate the long-standing and strong relationship between South Africa and Austria. Premier Alan Winde, who, alongside his wife Tracy, met with the Austrian leader and Schmidauer, said that their meeting was great. He added that there's strong interest in green energy and advanced manufacturing, which are both key sectors for growing the Western Cape economy and creating work for residents. 'We've got a linkage between Upper Austria, one of their states, and ourselves. We'll be hosting further engagements in an investment conference, with Governor Thomas Stelzer, later in the year. 'It's about growing economy, and about working together - partnerships out of Europe and here in the southern part of Africa. This is all about the economy. It is all about growth, and it is all about jobs.' Van der Bellen said that it was good to meet with Winde to talk about the potential for cooperation. 'Austrian companies are more than eager to explore new opportunities, particularly in sectors such as green energy and advanced manufacturing.' The delegation also visited several venues and organisations of interest, including the Artscape, where they met with key Artscape staff, such as the CEO, Marlene le Roux, as well as the Artscape Council, including its chairperson, Zak Gordon. They shared some insight into Artscape's operations, both theatrical and administrative, as well as a short tour of the building, ending off with some light refreshments to portray Cape Town's hospitality. Van der Bellen was welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and also visited Freedom Park where Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton Mackenzie was present. 'Austria and South Africa enjoy strong bilateral trade and investment relations spanning energy, industrial technology, pharmaceuticals and vocational training. Bilateral trade between South Africa and Austria has been steadily increasing. 'A number of leading Austrian companies are involved in South Africa, through direct investments, distribution and sales offices, or in projects and other services,' Ramaphosa said. 'There are many more opportunities for investment by Austrian companies in South Africa. There are opportunities in areas such as renewable energy generation, agro-processing and component manufacturing opportunities. 'There are also opportunities in critical minerals beneficiations, pharmaceuticals, technology and innovation, among others,' Ramaphosa said. 'We want to see more Austrian tourists coming to South Africa and more South Africans visiting Austria. We are particularly keen to explore eco, sports and heritage tourism.' Ramaphosa said they signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of technical and vocational training. 'We want to learn from Austria on how to achieve the delicate balance between building the workforce of the future and growing the skills needed by the economy today. 'As the South African government, we have consistently affirmed the importance of collaboration with the private sector to drive economic growth and job creation.'
Eyewitness News
04-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Federal President of Austria Van der Bellen arrives in SA for 4-day visit
JOHANNESBURG - Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, has arrived in South Africa for a four-day working visit. This is a historic moment as it marks the first time an Austrian head of state visits the country. Van der Bellen will be welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa later on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where they will host a joint media briefing. Trade relations between South Africa and Austria have been described as "mutually beneficial" by both nations. In 2024, South Africa exported €617 million worth of goods to Austria, while Austria imported €661 million worth of goods from South Africa. The Presidency said the working visit would focus on improving the bilateral and economic ties between the two countries. This includes sectors like the arts, agriculture and energy. The Austrian delegation will be part of a business forum on Friday afternoon with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Austrian president questions gun laws after school shooting tragedy
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has called for a review of the country's relatively relaxed gun laws in the wake of a school shooting in Graz that left nine students and a teacher dead. "Does the legal situation really meet modern requirements? That will have to be examined," Van der Bellen said on Wednesday during a visit to the city, according to the APA news agency. On Tuesday, a 21-year-old man opened fire in his former high school, killing 10 people and taking his own life. The attacker was armed with a shotgun and a handgun, both of which he legally owned, police said. Van der Bellen, who once led the Green Party, said politicians must now address "how it can be that a 21-year-old has a handgun and a long gun and has the opportunity to buy the appropriate ammunition and cause this disaster." Calls for tighter gun laws have intensified in the wake of the attack. The communist mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, has urged a ban on private firearm ownership. Under current Austrian law, purchasing handguns requires official authorization, but rifles and shotguns can be bought without a permit.
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
Japanese Emperor Meets with Austrian President
News from Japan Society May 22, 2025 18:27 (JST) Tokyo, May 22 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Emperor Naruhito met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday. During their 25-minute meeting, the Emperor expressed gratitude to Austria for hosting many Japanese people studying music in Vienna, according to the Imperial Household Agency. Music is an important element that connects people, Emperor Naruhito said. Van der Bellen said grasping geography and history is key to understanding Europe. The Emperor responded by saying that he agreed with the Austrian president. Van der Bellen invited the Emperor to visit Austria, according to the agency. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
22-05-2025
- Business
Japanese, Austrian Leaders Discuss Economy
News from Japan Politics May 22, 2025 15:37 (JST) Tokyo, May 22 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has held talks on economic issues with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. In their talks, held Wednesday, the two leaders exchanged views in light of the impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures on the global economy and the multilateral trade system. Van der Bellen is visiting Japan for his country's "national day" event at the World Exposition in the western city of Osaka. Referring to Austria's 1873 Vienna World's Fair, the first such international event in which the Japanese government officially participated, Ishiba said, "Japan hopes to further strengthen the two countries' cooperation in business and technology through the (Osaka) Expo." Van der Bellen expressed his wish to enhance the bilateral economic relationship using the Expo as a springboard. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
