Achleitner reviews eight-year record as Upper Austria’s economy chief

Upper Austrian economic affairs councillor Markus Achleitner has reviewed his eight years in office, saying the region’s economy continued to develop despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and weak international growth. ORF reported that he is leaving political office this week.

During the pandemic, Upper Austria used guarantees, stabilisation programmes and grants for digitalisation and exports. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy supply and security became a greater focus. The region also responded to company crises at MAN in Steyr and KTM in the Innviertel with support measures and employment programmes, Achleitner said.

He called the economic and research strategy UpperVISION2030, developed with partners including the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Labour, Johannes Kepler University and the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, his most important strategic focus. It prioritises digitalisation, mobility, sustainable industry and technologies for people. Since 2020, the region has awarded about 869 million euros in grants, enabling projects worth nearly five billion euros, according to the regional government.

Energy policy was another priority. The regional government pointed to the expansion of renewable energy and its Photovoltaics Strategy 2030. It said the number of photovoltaic systems in Upper Austria rose from about 30,000 in 2018 to 150,000 in 2026. A hydrogen research centre run by the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria began operating in Wels in 2023, and hydrogen projects worth more than 600 million euros are now under way, the government said.

Achleitner also cited the upperWORK employment programme, developed with the Upper Austrian Public Employment Service, the Social Ministry Service and social partners to expand training and secure skilled workers. In tourism, 104 tourism associations were consolidated into seven regional bodies, and the Tourism Strategy 2030 set a new direction. Annual overnight stays rose from 6.9 million to nine million over the past decade, according to the regional government.

Land-use planning reforms aimed to reduce land consumption and make greater use of existing plots and vacant properties. The government said the daily increase in land designated for building had recently halved. The 2027 budget for the economic affairs portfolio is about 448 million euros, more than 50 per cent above its 2018 level, with funding for research and science particularly increased.

Christiane Frauscher is due to succeed Achleitner and be sworn in as councillor on Thursday.