<p>The Republic of Austria has announced plans to establish an honorary consulate in Bengaluru, sometime in the future.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In an interaction with Deccan Herald, Austrian Ambassador to India Bernhard Wrabetz, who was in the City, said, “We have taken the decision in principle to set up an honorary consulate in Bengaluru, and we will start the process in this regard soon.”<br /><br />The idea of the honorary consulate is to provide as a point of contact for Austrian companies and citizens wanting to come to Karnataka, and vice versa. “The honorary consulate will provide good access and networking facilities. Karnataka has become a hub for Austrian companies — high-tech, mid-tech and low-tech,” Wrabetz added.<br /><br />Unlike several Western European countries that boast of massive companies, Austrian companies are mostly small and medium-scale enterprises, which have become global brands.<br /><br />Even in India, several Austrian companies have shown interest in the IT, machinery, and engineering sectors. “Everybody wants to set up shop in India, for which we need to find the right partners,” the Ambassador said.<br /><br />Bilateral trade (including services) between India and Austria is to the tune of €1.8 billion, and Wrabetz said that the idea is to double the value over the next 5-10 years.<br /><br />Several Indian companies such as Wipro, CCD, Srei Infrastructure and Bajaj are present in Austria, and the country has honorary consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Goa.</p>
<p>The Republic of Austria has announced plans to establish an honorary consulate in Bengaluru, sometime in the future.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In an interaction with Deccan Herald, Austrian Ambassador to India Bernhard Wrabetz, who was in the City, said, “We have taken the decision in principle to set up an honorary consulate in Bengaluru, and we will start the process in this regard soon.”<br /><br />The idea of the honorary consulate is to provide as a point of contact for Austrian companies and citizens wanting to come to Karnataka, and vice versa. “The honorary consulate will provide good access and networking facilities. Karnataka has become a hub for Austrian companies — high-tech, mid-tech and low-tech,” Wrabetz added.<br /><br />Unlike several Western European countries that boast of massive companies, Austrian companies are mostly small and medium-scale enterprises, which have become global brands.<br /><br />Even in India, several Austrian companies have shown interest in the IT, machinery, and engineering sectors. “Everybody wants to set up shop in India, for which we need to find the right partners,” the Ambassador said.<br /><br />Bilateral trade (including services) between India and Austria is to the tune of €1.8 billion, and Wrabetz said that the idea is to double the value over the next 5-10 years.<br /><br />Several Indian companies such as Wipro, CCD, Srei Infrastructure and Bajaj are present in Austria, and the country has honorary consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Goa.</p>