The Republic of Austria, like other EU states, continues to provide assistance to Ukraine against the ongoing full-scale military aggression of the russian federation. Austria has already supported the Ukrainian Government and the Ukrainian population, which has been especially affected by this war, with financial and humanitarian aid worth over €152 million. The country will also continue to support Ukraine on its way to the European Union.
Austria is not politically neutral and its position was always very clear when it came to condemning the illegal, unjustified and unprovoked aggressive war of russia against Ukraine at all political levels, condemning the clear violation of international law and providing full support to Ukraine and its people.
This year, Austria will contribute €20 million to the Ukraine Recovery Trust Fund (URTF) for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The URTF aims to support Ukraine in planning and implementing reconstruction measures as well as in maintaining public services, including in the energy sector.
Additionally, Vienna will allocate €1 million for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to operate in Ukraine. The funds will be used for the deployment and operation of the IAEA team, which is located on a rotational basis at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia NPP occupied by russia.
To assist Ukrainians who have suffered because of russian aggression, Vienna has recently agreed to allocate an additional €18 million to Ukraine. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross will receive €6 million each, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will receive €4 million, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will receive €2 million.
This year, the Federal Government of Austria will provide Ukraine with fuel, helmets, body armour and humanitarian aid in the amount of €15 million. The country will also finance €2 million in demining equipment for Ukrainian territory. Funds for demining equipment will come from the Foreign Emergency Assistance Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria. The country is contributing to protect against life-threatening mine explosions, ensuring that Ukrainian children can once again attend kindergartens and schools, and strengthening food security by enabling farmers to cultivate their fields again.
On September 17, 2023, Ukrzaliznytsia and Rail Cargo Austria, a subsidiary of Austrian Railways, agreed to work together to develop intermodal rail traffic between Ukraine and Austria. The parties also discussed the possibility of operating grain carriers of Ukrzaliznytsia’s fleet in Hungary and Slovakia and specifics of customs clearance for import and export operations of intermodal transport.
Austria is among the countries that helped Ukraine to overcome this winter and the energy terror caused by russia. The Austrian authorities have provided €5 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, established by the Ministry of Energy under the Energy Community Secretariat to accumulate donor funds for the purchase of necessary equipment for Ukrainian energy companies.
Dnipropetrovsk region received two powerful industrial generators, which are installed at regional water utilities. Three-phase diesel generators made in the USA: one with a capacity of 160 kW and weighing 2.5 tonnes, and another “giant” with a capacity of 350 kW and 8 tonnes. The equipment was donated by the Austrian construction company Strabag and the Polish foundation “Do It Together”.
The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for both countries. The analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Austria demonstrates a high level of partnership, as this country is an important commercial partner of the region.
In 2022, the volume of exports from Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 7.8% year-on-year to $29.5 million. The goods that are in demand among Austrian consumers include ferrous metal products, ore, slag, knitwear and accessories, furniture, railway locomotive parts, etc.
Export operations were carried out by 46 companies from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporter companies are mining and metallurgical, machine-building, food and processing enterprises.
TOP-5 exporters (ranked by volume of exported products):
Imports of goods from Austria to Dnipropetrovsk region totalled $26.5 million, decreasing by 47.8% compared to 2021. Traditionally, region purchased ferrous metal products, means of land transport, pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, etc.
Import operations were carried out by 126 importers.
TOP-5 importers (ranked by volume of imported products):
Import operations were mainly carried out by pharmaceutical, trade, metallurgical and processing companies.
Source: information for the article was taken from open online sources
