On an economic mission
From the Rosental to the Bosporus: Carinthians in Turkey
In an increasingly interconnected and interwoven world, looking beyond one's own backyard can bring new solutions. In their search for new markets and suppliers, many Carinthian companies have also ventured into Turkey. They are supported by diplomats and the Chamber of Commerce.
"We have had strong links with Turkey for a long time. After all, we have supplied bear batteries for many industrial projects," explains Rosental entrepreneur Josef Kersche. He is also taking part in the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce's trip to Istanbul and has powerful support with him. Brigadier Thomas Rapatz was the military attaché in Turkey until recently. "That's attractive to customers," explains Kersche, who is looking for suppliers and sales partners for "Ritter&Stark" sports weapons here. "There are strong suppliers here - you get everything from a single source, so there are no problems with slight differences in color," says the Rosental native, satisfied with the contacts.
Similar industries, similar problems
In principle, however, there are no major differences between the Turkish and Austrian economies, apart from the scale. "When I saw the first report, I thought I had mixed something up," laughs business delegate Gerhard Lackner. The diversity is also reflected in the other participants on the trip. From silencers for industrial valves to packaging and energy solutions, everything is represented. This aroused interest: Over 150 Turkish companies tried to get a place at the business meetings with the Carinthians. "Carinthia is an export country and I see a lot of potential for business relationships here," said WK President Jürgen Mandl, pleased with the rush. "There is a lot of room for growth in Turkey."
67 percent
is the current inflation rate in Turkey, putting a strain on the people and the economy. This is why the key interest rate was recently raised from 18 to 50 percent. This also makes loans more expensive.
But it is not just the economy that is similar, the problems are too: Skills shortages and inflation. Only the latter is on a completely different scale here. "It recently reached 67 percent - an enormous burden," explains Consul General Josef Saiger. This is another reason why there is a rush for visas for the EU. "Turkey is in third place in the EU asylum statistics," says Vice Consul Christoph Fleck. "We expect 30,000 visa applications this year."
As the actual focus of the mission was on "municipal environmental technologies" in Istanbul, a sewage treatment plant and a waste recycling plant were also visited. A good 20 million people live in the metropolis on the Bosporus. Over 90 wastewater treatment plants, four of which are large, are responsible for the wastewater. With a capacity of 620,000 cubic meters - the Klagenfurt plant has a capacity of around 40,000 - "Ataköy" supplies a good 2.4 million people. The waste recycling plant is also impressive: 600 tons of waste arrive here every day. However, separation is poor and everything is processed into compost - also one of the many opportunities for Carinthian companies in Turkey.
Among the top five Turkish exports to Austria are household appliances, air conditioners and refrigerators. "There are good business opportunities for us here, especially with packaging," explains CEO Harald Kogler. "We also have some other customers here, but no production."
For plastics professional Werner Kruschitz, the trip was just a warm-up. "The market is interesting, I'll be back at a trade fair next month," he explains. Kruschitz only sees weaknesses in the search for suppliers: "Waste separation is not yet in place, which limits it."
Josef Kersche is an entrepreneurial jack-of-all-trades in the Rosental valley - together with his son Josef Johannes, financial law professional Marian Wakounig, tax consultant Bruno Napetschnig and former military attaché Thomas Rapatz, he was looking for partners for sports weapons and energy systems.
Normally, people think of contract killers when they hear the word silencer, but Glaunach GmbH builds them for industry when it comes to noise protection. "We are a family business and are looking for new contacts," explains Alexander Glaunach.
Generating electricity from waste heat, even at low temperatures - that is the aim of Gerhard Fleischer's company: "Countries like Turkey are more open to technology. I've made new contacts here and even learned about a potential new business model."
Like many other industrial companies, Marcus Müller's Völkermarkt-based company is always on the lookout for reliable suppliers. The company uses aluminum and steel to produce profiles for automation, as well as accessories for thermal insulation systems.
Arman Helldorf has a wide-ranging portfolio: from the production of "AdBlue" to real estate and mobile PV systems for crisis regions. "I grew up in Istanbul, but have been in Austria for a long time. I look for partners and suppliers here," he explains.
The Chamber of Commerce's foreign trade department regularly organizes trips to interesting countries. Hemma Kircher-Schneider organized the mission together with the delegations in Istanbul and Ankara: "The colleagues offered a perfect program."
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