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AACC Secretary-General Khouja Meets the New CEO of AACC Company Member STRABAG

13 March 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 13 March 2023, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Klemens Haselsteiner, the newly-appointed CEO of AACC’s company member STRABAG AG, to discuss the possibility of strengthening STRABAG’s presence in the Arab region and collaboration prospects between AACC and STRABAG. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Khouja Meets the Deputy Director of Vienna Economic Chamber (WKW)

23 February 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 23 February 2023, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja visited Dr. Alexander Biach, Deputy Director of Vienna Economic Chamber (WKW). [more]

AACC Coordinates a Meeting between the Ambassador of Oman to Austria & AACC’s Company Member Nous Wissensmanagement GmbH

20 February 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 20 February 2023, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja hosted a meeting between the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria His Excellency Mr. Yousuf Aljabri accompanied by Dr. Mag. Wafaa Elewa from the Economic Affairs Office at the Omani embassy, and Dr. Raphael Schneeberger and Mag. Wolfgang Schreiner, CEOs and co-partners of Nous Wissensmanagement GmbH, a company member of AACC. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Receives a Delegation from the Council of Slovak Exporters

16 February 2023, Vienna- Austria

Upon an initiative from the Council of Slovak Exporters, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja received on 16 February 2023 Mr. Lukáš Parízek and Mr. Zulf Hyatt-Khan, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Slovak Exporters respectively, at AACC’s office in Vienna. [more]

Courtesy Visit to Vienna Economic Chamber (WKW) with the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait

13 February 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 13 February 2023, the Secretary-General of AACC Eng. Mouddar Khouja and His Excellency Mr. Talal Alfassam, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Austria, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Eng. Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Economic Chamber (WKW), at WKW’s premises. [more]

AACC Coordinates a Meeting with Montana Aerospace AG for the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait

8 February 2023 - Vienna, Austria

On 8 February 2023, AACC coordinated a meeting for His Excellency Mr. Talal Alfassam, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Austria, with Prof. DDr. Michael Tojner, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Dr. Michael Pistauer, Co-CEO & CFO of Montana Areospace AG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of complex lightweight components and structures for the aerospace industry, and other products. [more]

AACC & Vienna Economic Forum Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

25 January 2023, Vienna- Austria

With the aim of enhancing mutual relations and strengthening cooperation between Austria, Southeastern European countries and Arab countries, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), represented by its Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja, and the Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), represented by its Secretary-General H.E. Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 January 2023. [more]

AACC Coordinates a Meeting with the Qatari Ambassador to Austria to Discuss Cooperation Prospects in the Field of Sports

24 January 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 24 January 2023, AACC coordinated a meeting between His Excellency Mr. Sultan Salmeen Almansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Austria, Mr. Stjepan Stazic, CEO of Basektball Club Vienna (BC Vienna), and Mr. Peko Baxant, Member of the Vienna State Parliament & City Council and Auditor at BC Vienna, in the presence of AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Visits the Libyan Ambassador to Austria

17 January 2023, Vienna- Austria

On 17 January 2023, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja was received by H.E. Dr. Osama Abduljalil Abdulhadi, Ambassador of Libya to Austria for a courtesy visit at the premises of the Libyan embassy in Vienna. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Visits the Director-General of the OPEC Fund for Industrial Development (OFID)

21 December 2022, Vienna - Austria

On 21 December 2022, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director-General of the OPEC Fund for Internatioal Development (OFID) to discuss scopes of cooperation between AACC & OFID. SG Khouja presented the Chamber’s role and objectives and provided an overview of Austria’s and Europe’s economy in light of the current global conflicts, as well as the consequent challenges expected to arise. [more]

High-level Panel on Business & Innovation in the UAE Organised by AACC

22 November 2022, Palais Eschenbach-Vienna

On 22 November 2022, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) organised a high-level panel entitled “New Business Horizons & Innovations in the United Arab Emirates”, which was held place in-person at Palais Eschenbach in Vienna and simultaneously online via Zoom. [more]

AACC Organises a Company Visit to Ebswien Sewage Water Treatment Plant for High-level Arab Representatives & Diplomats

21 November 2022 - Vienna, Austria

On 21 November 2022, AACC organised a company visit to ebswien sewage water treatment plant, Vienna’s wastewater treatment plant in charge of cleaning the city's entire wastewater flow. [more]

AACC Holds its Annual Meeting of the General Assembly & Board of Directors

22 November 2022 Palais Eschenbach-Vienna

On 22 November 2022, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held its 31st General Assembly Meeting together with the 32nd Meeting of the Board of Directors, which took place in-person at Palais Eschenbach in Vienna and simultaneously online via Zoom. [more]

REPORT: Company Visit to Perlinger Gemüse GmbH with Their Excellencies Arab Ambassadors

31 October 2022 - Wallern / Burgenland, Austria

On 31 October 2022, AACC organised a company visit to Perlinger Gemüse GmbH in Wallern, located in the Austrian province of Burgenland, exclusively for Their Excellencies the Arab Ambassadors in Austria. [more]

HRH Prince ALSAUD Receives AACC Secretary-General to Discuss Energy Matters & Enhancing Austro-Saudi Relations

18 October 2022 - Vienna, Austria

  On 18 October 2022, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdel‑Aziz AL SAUD, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Austria received AACC Secretary‑General Eng. Mouddar Khouja at the premises of the Royal Saudi Embassy in Vienna. The constructive discussions between HRH Prince Al Saud and SG Khouja sought to elaborate [...] [more]

AACC Secretary-General Pays a Courtesy Visit to the Lebanese Ambassador to Austria to discuss Libano-Austrian Relations

14 October 2022 - Vienna, Austria

  On 14 October 2022, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim ASSAF, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to Austria, received AACC Secretary-General Mr. Khouja at the premises of the Lebanese Embassy in Vienna. The fruitful deliberations between H.E. Amb. Assaf and SG Khouja touched on the latest updates on the situation in Lebanon and concrete measures which seek to facilitate [...] [more]

The Yemeni Ambassador to Austria Receives AACC Secretary-General at the Yemeni Embassy’s Premises

12 October 2022 - Vienna, Austria

  On 12 October 2022, AACC Secretary-General Mr. Khouja met with H.E. Mr. Haytham Shoja’aadin, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to Austria, at the premises of the embassy. The deliberations between SG Khouja and H.E. Amb. Shoja’aadin revolved around the latest updates on the situation in Yemen and concrete measures aimed at facilitating export procedures for [...] [more]

AACC Secretary-General Visits the Omani Ambassador to Discuss Cooperation Avenues between Austria & Oman

7 October 2022 - Vienna, Austria

 
On 07 October 2022, AACC Secretary-General Mr. Khouja visited H.E. Mr. Yousuf Ahmed ALJABRI, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria. The two discussed several means of strengthening cooperation between Austria and Oman on various levels, including facilitations for Austrian companies and businesspersons exporting to the Sultanate, as well as an Austrian delegation visit to Oman [...] [more]

AACC Secretary-General Discusses Strengthening Austro-Emirati Relations with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Austria

23 September 2022, Vienna-Austria

On 23 September 2022, AACC Secretary-General Mr. Khouja was received H.E. Mr. Hamad ALKAABI, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Austria, at the premises of the embassy. Among the topics they discussed during this meeting were food security, tools to enhance cooperation between Austria and the UAE on various levels (economic, scientific, cultural, etc.), facilitations for Austrian companies and businesspersons exporting to the UAE, as well as planned visits to various relevant institutions. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Visits the Iraqi Ambassador to Austria to Discuss Enhancing Austro-Iraqi Relations

23 September 2022, Vienna-Austria

On 23 September 2022, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Khouja paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Baker Fattah HUSSEN, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria. The deliberations of this constructive meeting focused on concrete steps towards easing export procedures for Austrian companies exporting products and services to Iraq, the latest updates on the situation in Iraq, in addition to avenues for mutual cooperation and delegation visits between Austria and Iraq. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Meets his Counterparts in Athens & Brussels to Discuss Various Joint Actions

19-22 September 2022

With the aim of thoroughly discussing a number of collaborative actions, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja and Secretary-General of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce Mr. Tamer Mansour, accompanied by a delegation from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, visited their counterparts the Secretaries-General of the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development Mr. Rashad Mabger and the Secretary-General of Arab-Belgian-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC) Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, in Athens and Brussels respectively. [more]

AACC Organises the “Ambassadors’ Meeting at Vienna School for International Studies”

9 September 2022, DA-Vienna

On 9 September 2022, the Austro-Arab Chamber (AACC) organised the “Ambassadors’ Meeting at Vienna School of International Studies”, in collaboration with Vienna School of International Studies (Diplomatische Akademie Wien), which was marked by the participation of the Austrian ambassadors to Algeria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen, as well as a number of Arab embassies, represented mostly by Their Excellencies the Ambassadors or the diplomats in charge of bilateral relations. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Pays a Courtesy Visit to the Newly-appointed Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Austria

29 August 2022

On 29 August 2022, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Khouja paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ambassador Talal Sulaiman Alfassam, the newly-appointed Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organisations in Vienna. [more]

HRH Prince ALSAUD receives AACC Secretary-General at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Vienna

22 August 2022, Vienna-Austria

On 22 August 2022, AACC Secretary-General Mr. Khouja was received by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled ALSAUD, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Austria, at the premises of the embassy, to discuss scopes of strengthening cooperation between AACC and KSA in various fields and major developments and Giga projects in the Kingdom, such as NEOM among others. [more]

Newly-appointed Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to Austria Pays a Courtesy Visit to AACC Secretary-General

On 10 August 2022, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Khouja received H.E. Ambassador Magdi Ahmed Mofadal, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organisations in Vienna, at AACC premises. Secretary-General Khouja congratulated H.E. Ambassador Mofadal on his new post and welcomed him in Vienna. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Receives Egypt Trust’s Director-General at AACC Premises

29 July 2022

On 29 July 2022, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja received Mr. Mohammed Kiwan, Director-General of Egypt Trust for digital identity management and digital signature services. This visit was arranged by CEO of a-Consult Mr. Albert Kronberger and Mr. Walter von Weber from Secunet, who accompanied Mr. Kiwan on his visit. [more]

Extended Report & Documentation: Virtual Economic Forum "Tunisia-Austria"

Promoting Business and Investment Cooperation in High Value Activities in the Electrical, Electronic & IT Sectors

On 29 June 2022, the Virtual Economic Forum "Tunisia & Austria - Promoting Business and Investment Cooperation in High Value Activities in the Electrical, Electronic and IT sectors” took place online, organised by the distinguished Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Vienna and the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), in cooperation with the Tunisian Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA Tunisia). [more]

AACC organises and hosts a meeting between Austrian Companies and the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria

13 June 2022, AACC Office - Vienna

On 13 June 2022, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) organised and hosted at its premises a meeting between ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH, TG Mess-, Steuer- und Regeltechnik GmbH, and H.E. Ambassador Yousef Aljabri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria, accompanied by Dr. Mag. Wafaa Elewa from the Economic Affairs Office at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Vienna. [more]

Report: AACC Secretary-General Participates in the “4th Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries: Heritage and Innovation”

04 July 2022, São Paulo, Brazil

Under the motto "Heritage and Innovation", the fourth edition of the “Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries” took place on 4 July 2022 in São Paulo, Brazil, organised by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Union of Arab Chambers and the League of Arab States. This year's forum, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Chamber, shed light on the future of Arab-Brazilian partnerships. [more]

Report: “Tunisia & Austria: Promoting Business and Investment Cooperation in High Value Activities in the Electrical, Electronic & IT Sectors

Virtual Economic Forum, 29 June 2022

On 29 June 2022, the Virtual Economic Forum "Tunisia & Austria - Promoting Business and Investment Cooperation in High Value Activities in the Electrical, Electronic and IT sectors” took place online, organised by the distinguished Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Vienna and the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), in cooperation with the Tunisian Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA Tunisia). [more]

Extended Report & Documentation: One-day-workshop “Exchanging Knowledge & Expertise in the Field of Cybersecurity

31 May 2022, Palais Eschenbach - Vienna

On 31 May 2022, AACC held a one-day-workshop entitled “Exchanging Knowledge & Expertise in the Field of Cybersecurity” at Palais Eschenbach in Vienna and simultaneously online (hybrid), moderated by AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Participates in the KSA Business Round Table Organised on the Occasion of the Visit of the Saudi Minister of Industry to Vienna

On 21 June 2022, the “KSA Business Round Table” took place on the occasion of the visit of the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E. Mr. Bandar Bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef to Vienna, in the presence of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC). [more]

AACC Arab President KR Kuzbari receives the Saudi Minister of Industry & HRH the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Austria

AACC Founder and Arab President H.E. KR Mr. Nabil KUZBARI and Mr. Louai KUZBARI, member of AACC Board of Directors, welcomed the Minister of Industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E. Mr. Bandar Bin Ibrahim ELKHORAYEF and his team at President Kuzbari's residence. HRH Prince Abdullah bin Khaled AL SAUD, Ambassador of KSA to Austria, together with AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar KHOUJA, joined the dinner and discussed the recent developments in the region and the potential scopes of cooperation between Austria and KSA. [more]

Workshop "Exchanging Knowledge & Expertise in the Field of Cybersecurity"

31 May 2022

Short report on workshop (executive summary to follow soon) [more]

AACC holds the “Arab Chambers’ Day” Event at the Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in the Context of the “Arab Chambers Week”

27 March 2022, Dubai – United Arab Emirates

In collaboration with the Expo Office of the Austrian Federal Economic Chambers (WKO) / Advantage Austria and the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), and in the framework of the “Arab Chambers Week”, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held the “Arab Chambers’ Day” event on 27 March 2022, at the Austrian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AACC was represented by H.E. President Sen. Dr. Richard Schenz and Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Participates in a Webinar on the UAE’s New Corporate Tax and Company Law

Monday, 22 February, 2022

AACC member and partner CROWE UAE held a one-hour introductory Webinar under the title “Shedding a light on the latest developments in Corporate Tax and Company Law in the United Arab Emirates”, in which AACC Secretary-General participated as a panelist. The webinar served as an eye opener to the fast-changing regulatory space in the UAE as GCC economies undergo a transformation from revenue generating economies into real economies. [more]

AACC Secretary-General Participates in Meetings of the Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers at the League of Arab States Headquarters

AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja participated in the “Meeting of the Secretaries General of the Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers of Commerce” and the “Annual Coordination Meeting of the Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers of Commerce”, which took place on January 16th & 17th, 2022 respectively at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo. [more]

AACC Receives the Newly-appointed Head of GCC Mission in Vienna

10 January 2022

On January 10th 2022, AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja received H.E. Dr. Ali Abdulla Ebrahim Ali ALJAWDER, Head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Mission in Vienna, for a courtesy visit at AACC’s premises. The two agreed on taking joint concrete steps towards strengthening economic cooperation between Austria and the GCC, including through arranging reciprocal delegations’ visits. Dr. Aljawder commended AACC’s efforts and continuous work to bring the Austrian perspectives and those of the GCC countries closer to each other. [more]

AACC and Cercle Diplomatique Discuss Media Cooperation Avenues

On December 20th 2021, the Secretary-General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Mr. Mouddar Khouja received Mrs. Andrea Fürnweger, Managing Director of Cercle Diplomatique (Fcm Firstclassmedia GmbH), a member of AACC, to discuss versatile means of strengthening the already existing cooperation between AACC and Cercle Diplomatique. [more]

AACC Secretary-General receives the President of the Austrian Travel Association

On December 9th 2021 the Secretary-General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Com-merce Eng. Mouddar Khouja received the President of the Austrian Travel Association Mrs. Eva Buzzi at the premises of the chamber. [more]

NEW RELEASE: The Austro-Arab Economic Report 2021-22

Available now!

Content: Information on the bilateral trade between Austria & Austrian Provinces and the Arab Countries in Arabic and English, and is available as a digital publication (December 2021) [more]

Report: AACC Secretary-General Heads an Austrian Delegation to the 19th Conference of Arab Business Owners & Investors

28-29 Nov. 2021 Tripoli - Libya

Under the patronage of the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya, the 19th Conference of Arab Business Owners and Investors took place on 28-29 Nov. 2021, in the Libyan capital Tripoli. With the aim of attracting investments to Libya, this year’s conference was held under the slogan “Investing in Libya: Promising Opportunities for Development & Construction – Together for the revival of Investments in Libya”. [more]

Report: AACC President Heads the Austrian Economic Delegation to the UAE

17-20 Nov. 2021 Dubai, Sharjah - UAE

In the framework of the official visit of the Austrian delegation to the UAE which took place from 17-20 Nov. 2021, Senator Dr. Richard Schenz, Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and President of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), headed the economic delegation (representing the President of the WKO), accompanied by AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja. The President and the Secretary-General took part in the “Austria Connect Gulf” conference, the Day of Nations which focused on Austria, in addition to the Austrian National Day Ceremony. [more]

AACC Participates in the "Arab-Austrian Cultural Season"

OOn 6 November 2021, AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja and board and staff members attended the second event of the “Arab-Austrian Cultural Season”, a joint initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs, the Mission of the League of Arab States and the City of Vienna. [more]

Post-Event Documentation: 12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum (Online Edition) - 20 October 2021

Guest country: The Arab Republic of Egypt

Reports, presentations, media coverage & links [more]

Report: “12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum” (Online Edition)

Guest Country: the Arab Republic of Egypt

In cooperation with the distinguished Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Vienna and the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held its “12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum – Online Edition” on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. This year’s forum hosted the Arab Republic of Egypt as the Guest Country and was virtually attended by around 150 participants from across the globe. [more]

REPORT: High-level Round Table on the Occasion of the Visit of the Saudi Minister of Commerce to Austria

29 September 2021, Vienna - Austria

In cooperation with the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Vienna, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) had the honour of organising a high-level round table on the occasion of the visit of H.E. Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Alkasabi, Minister of Commerce of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia, which took place on Wednesday 29 September 2021 at Ritz Carlton-Vienna and was moderated by AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

REPORT & VIDEO: Webinar “100% Foreign Ownership in the UAE: New Environment for Foreign Direct Investment on the Eve of Expo 2020”

Webinar held on 14 September 2021

On the 14th of September, 2021, the webinar “100% Foreign Ownership in the UAE: New Environment for Foreign Direct Investment on the Eve of Expo 2020” took place, organised by the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) in cooperation with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Vienna and Crowe UAE. [more]

Report: "Sharaka Experts Talk: Adjusting to ‘New Normal’ in Education and Healthcare Sectors in the UAE & Austria"

On July 1st 2021, the webinar “Adjusting to ‘New Normal’ in Education and Healthcare sectors in the UAE & Austria” took place, jointly organised by the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). The webinar was attended by over 100 participants who joined virtually from all over the world. [more]

Interview with AACC Secretary-General Mouddar Khouja for Metropole Magazine

Released on 28 June 2021

The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) has the honour to share with you an interview with AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja for the Vienna-based Metropole Magazine, inviting you to embark on a journey of migration and exploring notions of home, roots, and building bridges among various societies and businesses. [more]

Report: AACC Online Forum “Meet T.E. the Arab Ambassadors to Austria"

22 June 2021 (Online)

On 22 June 2021, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held its online forum “Meet T.E. the Arab Ambassadors to Austria", organized by AACC in cooperation with the Arab Ambassadors Council in Vienna and the League of Arab States, and moderated by AACC Secretary-General Mr. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

REPORT: AACC coordinates a high-level meeting between the Mayor of Vienna and the Ambassador of Qatar to Austria

7 June 2021 - Vienna, Austria

© PID/Jobst
On 7 June 2021, the Mayor and Governor of Vienna H.E. Dr. Michael Ludwig received the Ambassador of the State of Qatar H.E. Sultan Salmeen Almansouri and the Secretary-General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Eng. Mouddar Khouja for a courtesy visit at the premises of the Vienna City Hall. [more]

REPORT: AACC Secretary General Khouja meets with City Councillor H.E. Peter Hanke and the Ambassador of the UAE in Austria H.E. Ibrahim Almusharrakh

20 April 2021, Vienna-Austria

On 20 April 2021, H.E. Peter Hanke, Executive City Councillor of Finance, Business, Labour, International Affairs, and Vienna Public Utilities, received H.E. Ibrahim Almusharrakh, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Austria, and AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja, for a courtesy visit at the premises of the Vienna City Hall. [more]

REPORT: Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Austria visits AACC Secretary General

22 March 2021 - Vienna, Austria


On 22 March 2021, AACC SG Eng. Khouja received H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Hamdy El-Molla, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Austria, accompanied by Minister Counsellor Mr. Hazem Zaki, at AACC premises. They discussed thoroughly several collaboration prospects between AACC and the Arab Republic of Egypt and versatile means to strengthen mutual cooperation between Austria [...] [more]

AACC Secretary General visits the Ambassador of Qatar to Austria

6 April 2021, Vienna - Austria

On 6 April 2021, AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ambassador Sultan Salmeen Almansouri, Ambassador Plenipotentiary & Extraordinary and Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to Austria. [more]

Review: WEBINAR United Arab Emirates & Qatar

New Opportunities and considerations for Multinational Companies

On 8 April 2021, AACC held the webinar “United Arab Emirates & Qatar: New Oppor-tunities and considerations for Multinational Companies”, jointly organised with Crowe UAE. [more]

Economic Reports

Provided by the Union of Arab Chambers

The AACC has the honour to publish the following reports, kindly provided by the Union of Arab Chambers (in English language). [more]

Report on Egyptian Economy

Available in English & Arabic

Provided by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Austria. [more]

REPORT: Review on Arab-Austrian Cultural Season 2020

Under the slogan “Austria and Arab Countries: A Cultural Partnership & an Extended History”, the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the League of Arab States represented by its Mission in Vienna and the Arab Ambassadors Council have collaborated on a joint initiative to mark the Arab-Austrian Cultural Season 2020. [more]

REPORT: AACC’s 29th Session of the General Assembly (GA) together with the 30th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD)

held on 15 December 2020 via Zoom

On 15 December 2020, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held its AACC’s 29th Session of the General Assembly (GA) together with the 30th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) via Zoom, with a total of 54 participants, including the Chamber’s Board and regular members and their excellencies the Arab ambassadors in Vienna. [more]

Country Focus Report: EGYPT

Provided by the General Union of Egyptians in Austria

Throughout its history, Egypt has witnessed many challenges and conflicts that contributed in a way or another to obstructing the development path; yet, Egypt made sure to overcome these challenges and cope with the regional and international variables, taking advantage of its unique geographical location, which played a vital role in the development process. [more]

AACC's Periodic Report on the Economic Situation in Austria & the EU in light of COVID-19

published on 12 October 2020

Following our previous Corona-updates and publications, this report presents latest economic numbers, figures, analyses and prognoses of the economic situation in Austria & the EU in the context of the global COVID-19 crisis. [more]

REPORT: AACC receives world-renowned researcher Prof. Josef Penninger

14 August 2020 - Vienna

The world-leading researcher, geneticist and immunologist Prof. Josef Penninger paid a visit to the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce on Friday, 14 August 2020, where the AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja cordially welcomed him for cooperative talks. [more]

REPORT: "COVID-19-PANDEMIC Economic Experts' Presentation: Analyses, Best Practices, Lessons and Strategies"

Webinar, held on 3 June 2020

The economic obstacles that the world is facing due to the widespread of Coronavirus, the tremendous medical efforts exerted to find a cure for it, and the challenges facing economic ties and trade relations between Arab and European countries in times of Corona were the main topics that the AACC webinar revolved around. [more]

CORONA-UPDATE: Economic Evaluation and Recommendations in Light of the Global Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis

Report in English / Arabic, published on 8 April 2020

The COVID-19 epidemic that the world is witnessing nowadays has already started to take its toll on the world’s economy, resulting in global economic turmoil. Instead of growth figures of 2.5% forecasted at the beginning of the year 2020 according to UN sources, the updated forecasts as of the beginning of April clearly indicate a decline and recession in the global economy of about 0.9%. [more]

ARABIC REPORT: Evaluation of the economic situation in Austria in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

published 16 March 2020

Read the report in ARABIC LANGUAGE here... [more]

REPORT: Evaluation of the economic situation in Austria in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published on 13 March 2020

Evaluation of the economic situation in Austria in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Amidst the recent outbreak of COVID-19, Austria is getting ready to confront the current situation and its inevitable consequences on the economy, especially as a decline in the depicted growth of 1.2% is now expected, amounting to more than 0.5%. This highly depends on the economic [...] [more]

REPORT: Visit of the UAC delegation to the newly-appointed UNODC Executive Director Dr. Ghada Waly

Vienna, 13 February 2020

On February 13th 2020, the newly-appointed Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and former Egyptian Minister for Social Solidarity H.E. Dr. Ghada Fathi Waly received a delegation from the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), represented by UAC Secretary General Dr. Khaled Hanafy and AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

REPORT: Visit of the UAC delegation to EUROCHAMBRES office in Vienna

Vienna, 12 February 2020

On February 12th 2020, the President of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce & Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) Dr. Christoph Leitl received a delegation from the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC) at his office in Vienna, represented by UAC Secretary General Dr. Khaled Hanafy, the President of AACC Senator Dr. Richard Schenz, and AACC Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja. [more]

REPORT: 30th Anniversary of AACC / 11th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition

23 October 2019 - Vienna City Hall

Read here the post-event reports of the 30th Anniversary Celebrations, held together with the 11th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition. [more]

AACC Secretary General Dipl.Ing. Mouddar Khouja receives “Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna” 

23 October 2019 - Vienna City Hall

2019 was a special year in many ways, as it marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the 10th year for Secretary General Dipl.-Ing. Mr. Mouddar Khouja in office. [more]

AVAILABLE NOW: The new Austro-Arab Economic Report 2019/2020

Print and online publication, Arabic & English language

Information and Data about trade volume between Austria and the Arab countries for 2018-19, forecast for 2019-20, and also including detailed data about trade volume from the 9 Austrian provinces to/from Arab countries. [more]

REPORT: AACC Secretary General visits Baghdad, Iraq

15 - 17 April 2019, Baghdad

From 15 - 17 April 2019, the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar Khouja went on a short trip to Baghdad, the capital of the Republic of Iraq, where he was invited as a guest of honour by Her Excellency Dr. Zekra Alwach, the Mayor of Baghdad, to attend a programme of cultural activities organised under the patronage of the Mayoralty of Baghdad. [more]

REPORT: AACC Secretary General chairs Round Table on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Tunisia

24 April 2019 - Vienna, Austria

On Wednesday, 24 April 2019, the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar Khouja was invited as both, chair and speaker in a Round Table on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Tunisia, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Austria together with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber’s Regional Office for Africa & Middle East. [more]

REPORT & PHOTO GALLERY: AACC participates in the “1st Official Energy Conference and Exhibition” Convention

1 - 5 April 2019, Šibenik, Croatia

From 1-5 April 2019, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) participated in the “1st Official Energy Conference and Exhibition” convention in Šibenik, Croatia, organised by AACC member IDS Industrieservice + Anlagenbau GmbH, in cooperation with Regional Center for Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), a cooperation partner of the AACC. [more]

REPORT: Expert's Round Table on the Reconstruction of the City of Mosul

27 February 2019, Vienna

Read the extended report here. [more]

REPORT: 10th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition

1 October 2018, Vienna City Hall

Conference on: Energy Transition – Urban Technology and Sustainable Cities. New Opportunities for International Cooperation and Partnerships [more]

Welcome visit of the New Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq

20 August 2018, Vienna - Austria

On 20 August 2018 the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA was honoured by a welcome visit of H.E. Dr. Usama Abdelsaheb Mohsen AL NASHY, the newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to Austria, accompanied by diplomats. [more]

Arab Ambassadors Corps Visit to Piber

14 July 2018, Piber / Styria

 
On 14 July 2018, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), in cooperation with the Spanish Riding School / Federal Stud Piber, invited the Arab Ambassadors Corps to visit the Federal Stud Piber for aday.
The President of the AACC, Senator Dr. Richard Schenz, and Mrs. Dkfm. Elisabeth Gürtler, Head of the Spanish Riding School / Federal Stud Piber, were [...] [more]

B2B: AACC member introduction to potential business partner from the United Arab Emirates

13 July 2018, Vienna - Austria

The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) coordinated a B2B meeting between its new member Mebe GmbH and Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO of Strategic, one of the leading exhibitions, conferences and event organizers in the United Arab Emirates. [more]

AACC Panel on "GCC Countries in Transformation. New Tax System"

25 June 2018, Vienna Economic Chamber

On 25 June 2018, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) invited to an Economic Panel focusing on the “GCC Countries in Transformation: New Tax Landscape” in the premises of Vienna Economic Chamber. The Panel was organised in cooperation with the Vienna Economic Chamber and Crowe UAE accounting firm, and with the most valuable support of the Mission of the Gulf Cooperation Council to Austria. [more]

Meeting with the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Libya

6 June 2018, Vienna - Austria

On June 6, 2018 the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Jalal ALASHI, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Libya in Austria, where they talked about the current situation and business environment in Libya. [more]

Meeting with the Ambassador of Tunisia to Austria

30 May 2018

On 30 May 2018 the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed MEZGHANI, the newly accredited Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Austria. [more]

AACC Secretary General participates in “The Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency”

6-7 May 2018, Kuwait

The Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA, was invited as a speaker at the fourth edition of “The Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency “ARFREE”. [more]

Saudi-Arabia in Transformation Process

Trade Delegation

The Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Eng. Mouddar Khouja, was part of the Austrian Trade Delegation that visited the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia from 22 to 26 April 2018. [more]

AACC attends Arab-Brazilian Forum & Coordinative Meeting of the Joint-Foreign Arab Chambers in Sao Paolo, Brazil

2-4 April 2018, Sao Paolo – Brazil

From 2-4 April 2018, the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA travelled to Sao Paolo, Brazil to attend the Arab-Brazilian Forum and for a highly important coordinative meeting of the Secretaries General of the Joint-Arab Chambers of Commerce. [more]

Celebrating Arab Mother’s Day at Domisol

15 March 2018

On 15 March 2018, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and AACC member company Domisol jointly invited Arab diplomats, AACC members, family and friends to celebrate together on occasion of the coming “Arab Mother’s Day” which is celebrated on 21 March. Domisol is a unique multibrand shop for luxury merchandise right in the heart of Vienna. [more]

Secretary General meets the designated Mayor of Vienna

Welcome meeting on 13 March 2018

On 13 March 2018, the Secretary General of the AACC Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA had a welcome meeting with the new designated Mayor of Vienna H.E. Dr. Michael LUDWIG in his office at the Vienna City Hall. [more]

Coordinative Meetings for Bank Cooperation Iraq - Austria

Between 6-8 March 2018, the AACC coordinated several meetings with Austrian banks and experts on the Austrian Financial Market Authority. [more]

Cooperative talks between AACC and Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RECREEE)

Vienna, 26. February 2018

On 26 February 2018, the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA received Dr. Ahmed BADR, Executive Director of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RECREEE), together with Eng. Ashraf KRAIDY, Planning Director and Ms. Noha GAMAL EL DIN, Members States Relations and Operations Manager of RECREEE for coordinative talks in Vienna. [more]

AACC welcomes the President of Strategic Marketing Management Group for cooperative meetings

Cooperative meetings, 22-23 February 2018

From 22-23 February 2018, Mr. Dawood AL SHEZAWI, President of Strategic Marketing Management Group paid a visit to Austria for coordinative meetings with the AACC, the Vienna Business Agency and the Institute for Economic Promotion of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WIFI). [more]

9th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition

Report of the event of 27th of November 2017

The Forum & Exhibition was honoured by the participation of a high number of prominent officials, personalities, representatives, speakers and delegates from both, Austria and the Arab countries. At the Opening Ceremony and during the day, the event hosted in total almost 500 interested visitors from Austria and the Arab countries. [more]

Meeting with the Ambassador of Lebanon

9 January 2018

On 9 January 2018 the Secretary General of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Eng. Mouddar KHOUJA paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim ASSAF, the newly accredited Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to Austria. [more]

8th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition on Oil & Gas

Report of the event of 25th November 2016

The Forum & Exhibition were attended by a numerous international audience of some 800 visitors and guests, among them Their Excellences the Arab ambassadors, representatives of the international diplomatic corps, chairmen, members of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce, companies, businessmen and the interested public. [more]

AACC celebrating its “25th Anniversary” with 7th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition and Gala Dinner

Report of the event of 22 May 2014

On occasion of its 25th Anniversary as the main reference institution for economic, cultural and scientific cooperation between Austria and the Arab countries, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) organised the 7th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition and a prestigious Gala Dinner under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Heinz FISCHER, the Austrian Federal President, on 22 May 2014 in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall. [more]

6th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum / International Conference in Vienna

Report of the event of 10-11 October 2012, Sudan & Europe: Prospects of Cooperation for Regional Peace

This Forum was held in Vienna at the Hotel Hilton Vienna City and was visited by approximately over 500 people concerned with and interested in Arab-Austrian economic relations in general and in meeting leading personalities from both, the Republic of Austria and the Republic of the Sudan, in particular. [more]

5th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition and Annual Dinner

Report of the event of 18/19 October 2011

This Forum was held in the Vienna Marriott Hotel and visited by around 500 people who are concerned with and interested in Arab-Austrian economic relations in general and in leading medical innovations, such as the “bionic hand” and the “e-human fingerprint” that is to serve as an alternative to electronic e- cards, in particular. [more]

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Extended Report & Documentation: One-day-workshop “Exchanging Knowledge & Expertise in the Field of Cybersecurity 31 May 2022, Palais Eschenbach - Vienna

 

 

On 31 May 2022, AACC held a one-day-workshop entitled “Exchanging Knowledge & Expertise in the Field of Cybersecurity” at Palais Eschenbach in Vienna and simultaneously online (hybrid), moderated by AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja. This high-level event was marked by the attendance of AACC Founder and Arab President H.E. KR Nabil Kuzbari and the participation of H.E. Ms. Ghada Waly, Director-General of UNOV, Executive Director of UNODC and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, who delivered welcoming remarks, along with AACC Austrian President Senator Dr. Richard Schenz, H.E. Mag. Wolfgang Ebner representing the State Secretary of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance H.E. Mr. Florian Tursky, H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), and H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Assaf, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to Austria & Chair of the Arab Ambassadors Council in Vienna.

 

From left to right: AACC Arab President H.E. KR Nabil Kuzbari, H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Assaf, H.E. Mag. Wolfgang Ebner, H.E. Ms. Ghada Waly, H.E. Sen. Dr. Richard Schenz & Eng. Mouddar Khouja

 

Throughout this one-day-workshop, senior government officials and technical experts from Austria presented their knowledge and shared their expertise in the field of cybersecurity with Arab counterparts, tackling topics of paramount importance to governments, companies, and individuals, including but not limited to cybercrime, next generation e-ID (electronic identity) and trust services, secure communication, protection of critical IT infrastructure, cloud digital sovereignty and transparency, and standardisation, testing & certification.

 AACC Austrian President H.E. Sen. Dr. Richard Schenz

 

In his welcoming remarks, H.E. Senator Dr. Richard Schenz warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and speakers and stressed the significance and relevance of the topics which the workshop sought to address. Noting the ripple effects and detrimental threats caused by cyber-attacks and cybercrime to companies, authorities, institutions, sectors and societies as a whole, Sen. Dr. Schenz urged governments and institutions to strengthen regional and international cooperation and widen their scope of focus to encompass the entire public-private cybersecurity ecosystem in order to mitigate these risks.

 

H.E. Ms. Ghada Waly

 

In her keynote speech, UNODC Executive Director H.E Ms. Ghada Waly commended AACC’s timely organization of an event on cybersecurity, a topic of growing importance. Ms. Waly highlighted the linkages between cybercrime and other forms of crime and stressed the challenges posed and harm caused by cybercrime not only to individuals but also to societies as whole and to global economy, hence the paramount importance of securing information and communication systems. Ms. Waly urged the international community to work together to equip all countries including developing countries with the necessary tools and capacities to combat and prevent cybercrime. In this regard, Ms. Waly elaborated on UNODC’s Global Cybercrime Programme, which provides technical assistance to more than 56 member states across various continents, aimed at developing their capacity to detect, investigate and process cybercrime cases.

 

H.E. Mag. Wolfgang Ebner

 

H.E. Mag. Wolfgang Ebner underpinned the importance of information security and cybersecurity to mitigate the threats posed by (cyber) criminals. Given the fact that most threats decision-makers with one response to tackling cybersecurity threats, and that is cooperation. In this context, Mr. Ebner praised initiatives such as AACC’s which seek to address the topics of cybersecurity through multiple lenses of experts from different institutions across Arab countries, Austria and other European countries.

 

H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Assaf

 

Chair of the Arab Ambassadors Council in Vienna H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Assaf commenced his speech by commending AACC’s endeavours aimed at strengthening economic, commercial and cultural ties between Austria and the Arab countries and for organising this one-day-workshop on cybersecurity. In a more and more globalised and digitised world, societies have been witnessing a noticeable shift towards e-commerce, digital currencies and NFTs in the recent years. As such, cybersecurity stands as one of the most crucial challenges to the global trade architecture nowadays. Ensuring a safe and reliable cyberspace thus becomes indispensable for a thriving economy, which can merely be attained through comprehensive partnerships among all stakeholders, particularly governments and the private sector. Assaf added that the League of Arab States has initiated and proposed several decisions and legislations pertaining to cybersecurity, noting that the Councils of Arab Interior and Justice Ministers adopted in 2010 the “Arab Convention on Combatting Information Technology Offences”, which entered into force in 2014. Finally, Assaf assured that the Arab states are at the core of the discussions pertaining to cybersecurity and ICT challenges and threats.

 

H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafi

 

In his video message, UAC Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafi asserted that cybercrime is the next world crisis. Increased use of digitalisation and ICT in the Arab world comes hand in hand with an increased susceptibility to cyber-attacks, which necessitates a heightened cyber security. Arab markets for ICT have been noticeably inclining, recording an estimate of $2 billion and are expected to reach $3 billion in the coming years, which offers ample opportunities for investment. Finally, Dr. Hanafy emphasised the significance of cybersecurity for the private sector and called for the private and public sectors as well as the international organisations, namely UNODC, to join efforts to tackle the issue of cybersecurity.

 

From left to right: Dr. Oleksiy Feshchenko, DI Herbert Leitold, DI Dr. Martin Stierle, Mr. Josef Pichlmayr, Mr. Peter Lieber, H.E. Mr. Abdulbaset Albaour & Mr. Herbert Scheibner

 

Session I brought to light the topics of blockchain cyber-attacks and frauds and the protection of IT Infrastructure, and it was moderated by Mr. Herbert Scheibner, Former Federal Minister of Defence of the Republic of Austria.

 

Dr. Oleksiy Feshchenko, Advisor for the Global Program on Cybercrime at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), focused in his presentation on new technologies, block chain, financial crime and legislation, including topics such as the dark net, cryptocurrencies, bitcoins and the legal challenges that they pose in tracing ownership, namely in the case of smart contracts which have no owner or administrator, to which a solution could lie in on-chain security after regulating bitcoins; another challenge is multi-party computation (MPC). Dr. Feshchenko stressed the importance of understanding and regulating such phenomena and highlighted the role UNODC plays in this regard by offering a variety of trainings for experts and non-experts, providing an overview of crypto, profiling and tracing skills, seizure and regulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

                      Dr. Oleksiy Feshchenko                                                        DI Dr. Herbert Leitold                                                                                                               

DI Herbert Leitold, Director-General of Secure Information Technology Center Austria A-SIT, started his presentation with a synopsis of the Austrian Secure Information Technology (A-SIT) and shed light on ransomware, a phenomenon which increased by 435% in 2020 according to the WEF Global Risk Report 2022, after which he presented a study of the Federation of Austrian Industries, including interviews with victims, lessons learned and advice based on the actual experience. The study revealed that many organisations in the industrial sector were well-equipped and prepared with state-of-the-art technology in terms of information security. The study also showed the importance of risk mitigation through organisational and preventive technical measures (e.g., default multifactor authentication, user awareness, resilient infrastructure, etc.) in avoiding or combatting a security threat.

 

DI Dr. Martin Stierle, Deputy Head of the Center for Digital Safety and Security at the Austrian Institute of Technology, highlighted the importance of developing new products, technologies and solutions especially those that use artificial intelligence (AI) to address existing and emerging challenges and threats. He provided an overview of the main cybersecurity focus areas of the Austrian Institute of Technology, which include anomaly detection and threat intelligence, safety and security co-engineering (e.g., for automotives, Threatget), secure auctions of production capacities, new risk management approaches, next generation cryptography and penetration testing.

 

Moreover, Stierle brought to light AIT’s cyber range, i.e., cyber security trainings and exercises implemented in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Office on Counter-terrorism (UNOCT) and the International Telecommunication Union Arab Regional Cyber Security Center (ITU-ARCC) in Muscat, Oman, rendering AIT an international competence centre for IT/OT cybersecurity training.

 

                            DI Dr. Martin Stierle                                                                     Mr. Josef Pichlmayr

 

Mr. Josef Pichlmayr, President of Cyber Security Austria, stated that due to the constantly emerging cross-cutting security issues in IT risks that threaten our societies and its critical/strategic infrastructure, devising appropriate solutions and raising awareness and attractiveness of cybersecurity and digital literacy through education, discovery and promotion of young talents have become inevitable. Pichlmayr demonstrated the importance of challenges such as the Austrian Cybersecurity Challenge “Hackerchallenge”, as cyber security excellence is primarily driven by the youth’s motivation and qualifications. In light of the growing demand on IT security experts at a much faster pace than the available resources, consequences such as weakened security, reduced resilience, heightened risks and costs, delays and interruptions in infrastructure projects as well as loss of competitiveness are looming on the horizon.

In light of this, Mr. Pichlmayr urged for a sustainable cooperation among the public, the private and the academic & research sectors, with the aim of increasing the quality and quantity of graduates and experts in the field of IT and cyber security. Pichlmayr added that while digitalisation of our societies offers a plethora of opportunities, this comes hand in hand with a multitude of risks; not only does seizing these opportunities while simultaneously mastering the risks require highly motivated and qualified talents, but also it is a process that takes many years to attain.

 

                        Mr. Peter Lieber                                                             H.E. Mr. Abdulbaset Albaour

 

Mr. Peter Lieber, President of the Austrian Association for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ÖGV), Entrepreneur and CEO of LieberLieber Software, provided an overview of the presence of Lieber Group across the globe (LieberLieber, Sparx System HQ, and Sprarx System Sister and Service Companies) and presented the STRIDE threat model, a framework of security risks used by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) based on the thread model technique founded by a Microsoft engineer. Lieber then elaborated on automotive cybercrime which has been on the rise and on its serious repercussions given that by 2025, connected vehicles will comprise nearly 86% of the global automotive market.

 

Lieber further explained how threat modeling works and illustrated innovation through threat modeling with ThreatGet, a tool based on Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect that assists in the design of many projects to search for potential threats in various domains, including automotive, critical infrastructure, industrial internet of things (IIoT) environments and railways.

 

Towards the end of session I, H.E. Mr. Abdulbaset Albaour, Chairman of the Libyan General Authority of Information and Communications, presented a proposal on preparing an international agreement on the use of information technology in cybercrime.

 

From left to right: Prof. Em. DI Dr. Reinhard Posch, Mag. Peter Andre, Mr. Robin Heilig, Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov & Mr. Albert Kronberger

 

Session II focused on “Next Generation e-ID (Electronic Identity) and Trust Services” and was moderated by Mr. Albert Kronberger, CEO of a-consult and IT Advisor to various Austrian ministries.

 

Prof. Em. DI Dr. Reinhard Posch, Chief Information Officer of the Austrian Federal Government and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs, elaborated on how ID-Austria caters to users’ needs by promoting a “Mobile First” strategy that was introduced during Austria’s last EU presidency, which was a result of the practicality experienced when offering both free card-based and mobile-phone-based eID services. Prof. Posch spoke briefly about how to bring big players on board, especially in light of the increasing demands of digital sovereignty. Posch then highlighted some of the next steps, namely the new standards for attributes as per the EU’s electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services (eIDAS) regulation (wallet, public – private interoperability, secure online & offline use) and the introduction of legally accepted documents that would serve as a model for all sorts of documents and e-IDs on an EU level (e.g., electronic driving license). Posch added that Austria was the first EU Member State to notify mobile eID at level “high”.

 

Prof. Em. DI Dr. Reinhard Posch                                                         Mag. Peter Andre

 

Mag. Peter Andre, Senior Legal Expert and Project Leader of Electronic ID Management at the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, elaborated on the Austrian digitalisation’s architecture, components and goals, also known as ID Austria, a unique, safe, modern and interoperable digital identity, for which security and usability constitute essential factors. It’s a free-of-charge service issued by the State, offered for all residents of Austria, and used by the administration as well as the private sector for authentication. This digital identity is the only one recognised across Europe under the eIDAS regulation (interoperability); it constitutes the basis for the digital ID platform, including the further development of the citizen card “Bürgerkarte” and the mobile phone signature “Handy-Signatur”. It guarantees a simple, self-determined, secure and transparent data provision, and it increases the efficiency of existing processes and enables new services. It also seeks to limit cybercrime by means of preventing identity misuse.

 

Andre explained why an electronic proof of identity should be verified by the state, a process that must be observed with high safety standards, comprising GDPR compliance, organisational, legal and technical security dimensions in the application. Andre also gave an overview of the “Digitales Amt” application, the basis of ID Austria implementing the “Mobile First” approach and offering information structured according to life situations and updated on a daily basis. He shed light on the EU legal framework and the Austrian legal framework with regards to eIDAS and the e-ID national regulation respectively.

 

Mr. Robin Heilig from the Office of the CIO of the City of Vienna on Strategic Digitisation of Public Administration presented an overview of “Mein Wien – Citizen’s Portal” which grants direct access to governmental systems and services (COVID-19 testing, parking tickets, vaccination appointments, HomeCare App, etc…), all made possible through one login via e-ID / ID-Austria or any certified identity provider, upon which the user’s identity is verified; noting that unless a login is attempted via e-ID / ID-Austria, personal data cannot be identified. The portal includes services that work across various authorities, municipalities and nations (e.g. Green Pass) and caters to people’s needs and specific life situations, which renders this portal not only for governmental services but also for societal services. As such, there is a need to meet the expectations and provide a first-class service across all areas of life, while ensuring data privacy and security.

 

                                   Mr. Robin Heilig                                                                    Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov

 

Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov, member of the Board of Directors of Evrotrust Technologies, introduced Evrotrust, an innovative RegTech company and a certified European “Qualified Trust Service” provider which empowers and assists businesses and governments worldwide to transform digitally. Prof. Dimitrov elaborated on Evrotrust’s cross-border digital toolkit enabling a wide array of revolutionary services, such as instant and remote e-Signature of documents, eID, eDelivery and password-free access via 2FA. This digital toolkit is marked by full digitisation (paper-free), fast end-user registration, cross-border compliance and European Commission verification. This toolkit can be used across a variety of fields, including but not limited to the financial industry, telecommunications, pharma, insurance, procurement, human resources, and the legal sector.

 

Session III revolved around secure communication, digital sovereignty and transparency in the cloud, and was moderated by AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja.

 

Left to right: Eng. Clemens Möslinger, LTC Daniel Wurm, DI Matthias Grabner, Mr. Walter von Weber, Mr. Peter Gulyás, Mr. Florian Veit & Eng. Mouddar Khouja

 

Eng. Clemens Möslinger, Head of Cybersecurity Department / Chief Information Security Officer at the Austrian Federal Chancellery (BKA), clarified the role of the department he heads, which is responsible for the cybersecurity of the Republic of Austria, the national regulation of the network and information systems (NIS), the cloud strategy of the government and the applicable regulations when dealing with external counterparts (non-Austrian or non-EU companies). Möslinger then gave an overview of data classification (confidential, restricted, internal, etc..), safety class (1-3) and where it is processed (private, governmental or internal cloud etc…). Moreover, Möslinger highlighted some of the key lessons for Austria, stressing the importance of data classification, the compliance with GDPR, and the need for a multi-cloud approach.

 

Eng. Clemens Möslinger                                                         LTC Daniel Wurm

 

LTC Daniel Wurm, Advisor at the Directorate General of Defence Policy at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense, noted that political sovereignty is linked with states’ technological capacities and it’s therefore crucial to consider all the links between geopolitics, technology and the use of reliable policies across governments. He elaborated on the digital sovereignty in the European Union in light of the European Commission’s declaration of the years 2020-2030 as Europe’s Digital Decade.  For the EU to achieve the EU digital transformation by 2030, the Commission proposed a Digital Compass that cover a number of targets and revolves around the following 4 essential dimensions, which in a way serve to create the so-called “Brussels Effect”: secure and sustainable digital infrastructures and capacity, digital education and skills, digital transformation of businesses and digitalisation of public services (digital government).

 

Wurm also drew attention to the Digital Services Act, which aims to better protect consumers and their fundamental rights online, establish a powerful transparency and a clear accountability framework for online platforms and foster innovation, growth and competitiveness within the single market. Furthermore, he elaborated on digital transparency, the emergence of cyber conflicts and the importance of ensuring transparency in cyber space.

 

DI Matthias Grabner                                                                 Mr. Peter Gulyás

 

DI FH Mr. Matthias Grabner, Programme Manager at the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG - Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft), introduced the agency and its role in promoting Austria’s participation in larger European R&D programmes. He emphasised that agreeing on data availability, confidentiality and integrity is key to achieving a successful digitalisation. Mr. Grabner then presented the new initiative introduced by the European Union in line with the EU Cybersecurity Act, aimed at building a framework that strengthens the EU cybersecurity capacities, focusing on themes such as cryptography, resilience, and cybersecurity solutions among others. As such, the EU Decree 2021/887 established the European Cybersecurity Centre headquartered in Bucharest (ECCC) and the Network of National Coordination Centres (NCC) in every EU Member State, which are tasked with supporting innovation and industry policy in the field of cybersecurity, bringing together the cybersecurity technology community, including all actors from various sectors, i.e., industry, academia and research and the public sector, thus creating an interdisciplinary cybersecurity network. Grabner finally presented some European cybersecurity programmes, namely “DIGITAL EUROPE: Cybersecurity”, “HORIZON EUROPE: Cluster 3 – Increased Cybersecurity”, and the European Defence Fund (EDF), and he illustrated a comparison in the number of cybersecurity publications between Austria and other EU Member States.

 

   

                       Mr. Walter von Weber                                                            Mr. Florian Veit

 

Mr. Walter von Weber, Sales Director at Secunet International GmbH & Co. KG, introduced Secunet, a company providing digital and security services for governments, administrations and border control, digital transformation in healthcare and industrial cyber protection. He stressed the need to take the first step towards communication security, a process that lasts as long as the company, entity or enterprise continues to exist. Secunet can assist in analysing needs and in implementing technologies to make certain that the concerned party’s networks are and stay secure.

 

Following Mr. von Weber, Mr. Florian Veit from Secunet’s CTO Office elaborated on the different classifications of cloud environment, which range between internal / private, external / public, hybrid (mixed) and multi cloud, and highlighted the importance of a secured data storage on the cloud. He then presented the cloud operating system “SecuStack” and its different stages (secure transfer, storage, computation and connection), a secure cloud infrastructure solution based on OpenStack (the standard for open-source clouds), which enables easy scaling through automated deployment and allows for digital sovereignty through strong authentication, encrypted user data and secure client separation. Among the German-produced SecuStack’s features are its guaranteed full control over cloud infrastructure, strong authentication and encryption of user data, secure client separation, in addition to the fact that it is open-source-based and auditable and it grants key management in one’s own hands.

 

Mr. Peter Gulyás, CEO of Budapest-based Quadron Cybersecurity, presented the company, a privately-owned, independent international IT consulting house whose core business is cybersecurity, headquartered in Hungary with branch offices in Bahrain and the U.S.A. and a market focus on Europe, the Middle East, USA and Africa. Critical business data stored by companies, entities and institutions necessitate a cybersecurity plan; as such, Quadron specialises in building cybersecurity protection to prevent, detect and overcome any threats jeopardising the resilience and continuity of the concerned party. Quadron’s reliable team of experts includes consultants, engineers, project managers, analysts and ethical hackers. Gulyás then provided an overview of some of Quadron’s projects worldwide, such as the largest cybersecurity project in Kuwait, the first ever sector-level security strategy in the GCC in Bahrain, and the protection of the government’s media channels in Hungary from defacement and distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks.

 

AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja

 

To conclude, AACC Secretary-General Eng. Mouddar Khouja thanked the AACC Team and all partners who worked hard to plan and implement this workshop, as well as all the distinguished speakers and audience who joined either in-person or virtually from all over the globe. SG Khouja particularly thanked AACC member companies who sponsored this event and actively took part in it, namely Secunet, Quadron, Lieber Group and Evrotrust. AACC member company P.O.S.C.A. GmbH was also represented at the workshop by Dr. DI Stefan Köstner, who presented the POSCA Romana red-grape-based non-alcoholic sparkling beverage.

 

                                                                                           Dr. DI Stefan Köstner

 

 

Categories: Reports, Media, Events

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Files and links attached to this post
  • Welcome Session
  • Session I: "Cybersecurity: Blockchain Cyber-attacks and Frauds & the Protection
  • Session II: “Next Generation e-ID (Electronic Identity) and Trust Services”
  • Session III: "Secure Communication and Cloud Digital Sovereignty & Transparency
Session1_Leitold.pdf Session1_Pichlmayr.pdf OpenEuropeanCyberSecurityChallenge_15September2022.pdf Session1_Stierle.pdf Session1_UNODC_Feshchenko.pdf Session1-Lieber.pdf Session2_Andre.pdf Session2_Dimitrov_Evrotrust.pdf Session2_Heilig.pdf Session2_Posch.pdf Session3_Grabner_FFG_Cybersicherheit_AustroArabChamber_20220531.pdf Session3_Mslinger.pdf Session3_Quadron_Gulyas.pdf Session3_Secunet_Veit.pdf Proposal_InternationalAgreement_Libya.pdf Report_AACC_WS_Cybersecurity.pdf
 


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