The Federal Minister of Economy, Family and Youth is Reinhold Mitterlehner.
The Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth (BMWFJ) creates the best possible framework for enterprises and represents at international levels the interests of Austria as a business location. One of the main objectives is to accelerate structural change by actively supporting research, technology and innovation. In terms of family policy, the Ministry is responsible for childcare benefits, family allowance and for providing the necessary framework to ensure a work-life balance. The youth portfolio includes targeted support to youth organisations, youth initiatives and youth associations
Below a breakdown of responsibilities by Centres and Directorates General:
Centre 1: Economic Policy, Innovation & Technology
A key economic policy objective is to reinforce Austria's position as an attractive business location. Investments in research, development and innovation need to be enhanced to ensure continued competitiveness. The Centre also addresses competition policy and internal market issues within the European Union.
Centre 2: External Trade Policy & European Integration
Austria is one of the world's leading export countries. External trade policy aims to strengthen the Austrian export sector by ensuring sustainable growth, improved access to new markets and international cooperation. For this purpose the BMWFJ and the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) have jointly launched the go.international campaign. Other portfolios based within this Centre include export control, import licenses, EU coordination, export and investment policy, international regional policy and funding, as well as multilateral trade policy.
Directorate General I: Enterprise
The BMWFJ seeks to provide an enterprise-friendly framework and environment, which nurture the growth of businesses, facilitate business start-ups and ensure open market access.
Central issues include improving the competitive strength of companies, safeguarding existing employment and creating new jobs, as well as updating the rules and standards under Austria's Trade Act (Gewerbeordnung, GewO). Moreover, the BMWFJ is responsible for the sustainable design of apprenticeships and the introduction of new apprenticed trades. Other policy areas include surveying, geo-information and technology.
Directorate General II: Family & Youth
The BMWFJ is in charge of ensuring a family-friendly framework (family allowance and childcare benefits) and providing professional support through parenting education and family counselling programmes. This is accompanied by measures to improve reconciliation of work and family life. Other priority action areas are youth welfare and children's rights.
Directorate General III: Tourism & Historic Buildings
Austria's tourist industry is a major economic factor. However, it is subject to constant change caused by new channels of distribution and marketing, and by international competition between destinations. To enable the industry to respond efficiently to these challenges, the BMWFJ strives to create a first-class framework. Under the new Tourism Strategy three unique selling points (USPs) are being introduced: the Alps – the Danube – Cities & Culture.
The Ministry – through Burghauptmannschaft Österreich (an entity managing publicly-owned palaces, castles, etc.) – is also responsible for the maintenance and use of numerous significant properties of historic and touristic value. These include Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo and the so-called Marchfeldschlösser, i.e. two country palaces in the vicinity of Vienna.
Directorate General IV: Energy & Mining
The Ministry aims to achieve an economically optimised supply of energy sources and raw materials, while ensuring security of supply, cost-effectiveness, and environmental and social acceptability. To switch over to a sustainable, efficient and renewable energy supply system, the BMWFJ – together with the Ministry of the Environment – has devised a new energy strategy for Austria (Energiestrategie.Österreich). This energy strategy is a forward-looking concept on how to change over from the current system of energy supply to a system of sustainable, efficient and renewable energy supply. This is intended to help attain the climate and energy targets of the European Union (Europe 2020 targets).
