How do we shape our future?

The start of salz21 and our program there was marked by the Bavarian-Austrian Top Talks. Both countries are economically, culturally, and humanly interconnected. This common ground and the potentials for more were at the center of the top-level discussions among political representatives. Salzburg Governor Wilfried Haslauer, State Minister of the Free State of Bavaria Eric Beißwenger, State Secretary Claudia Plakolm, Deputy Secretary-General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) Mariana Kühnel, and President of the Association of Bavarian Industry Wolfram Hatz gathered on the stage of salz21 for the discussion at the invitation of Innovation Salzburg. One of the most important questions: What can be done about the shortage of skilled workers? There was agreement that the easiest approach can be taken within one’s own country: freeing up women through better childcare, strengthening apprenticeships, providing incentives for full-time work, and facilitating the entry into professional life for young people through suitable counseling services are the key measures that can be implemented. The discussion also touched on the atmosphere within the country: a high level of noticeable xenophobia does not serve the recruitment of skilled workers.

Research must be given more weight

There was also consensus on the importance of research and innovation and their significance for necessary transformations. Among other things, Bavaria has adopted a high-tech agenda with planned investments of 3.5 billion euros. This includes artificial intelligence and quantum technology, among other topics. Mariana Kühnel from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber also wishes for such a strategy for Austria. Both countries have room for improvement: bureaucracy should be streamlined and better digitally represented, existing strategies must be coordinated and strengthened to the best possible extent.

Cooperation, focus, and funding in research

Especially concerning research, the second panel consisting of Henriette Spyra from the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Matthias Konrad from Bayern Innovativ, Brigitte Bach from the Austrian Institute of Technology, Manfred Rosenstatter from the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce, and Henrietta Egerth-Stadlhuber from the FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency) agrees: it needs fewer regulations, more funding, and focus. Because the best researchers go where the conditions are right. Research is international, meaning priorities should be aligned not just in Austria but ideally across Europe, so that outstanding research doesn’t compete against each other but rather attracts new talents. Additionally, unanimously, the panel agrees that spending must increase. The famous 1 euro spent on public expenditure returns six times in the form of long-term GDP growth of 6 euros. However, according to Egerth-Stadlhuber, it would take 10 euros for development and 100 euros for the utilization of research results into concrete business opportunities. There is still room for improvement in Austria. We are very good at creating startups, but there are still significant gaps in support when it comes to growing into medium-sized companies. Brigitte Bach advocates for studying good technology policies from other countries and learning from them, using those insights to pave the way for bold Austrian technology policies.