Wirtschaftspolitische Blätter

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKOe - Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich)
coordinates and represents the interests of the Austrian business community on the national and international level. Within the Austrian Economic Chambers system it functions as the national umbrella organization for the 9 regional Chambers - one in each of Austria's federal regions - and 110 trade associations for different industries. Regional Chambers and associations have local offices to provide services as close as possible to members.

Membership is compulsory and comprises all Austrian companies.

Legal basis for the Austrian Federal Economic Chambers is the public law (Wirtschaftskammergesetz) providing the legal framework for all Chambers, their co-operation, mandatory membership, and rules for setting membership fees. Although established by public law the Federal Economic Chambers are exclusively business driven.

Entrepreneurs elect from their own ranks officers and representatives for the trade associations and the Chamber in general every 5 years (a total of more than 10.000 officers). In these elections free associations of entrepreneurs field their candidates to compete for the leadership of the Chambers and individual trade associations.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is financially self-sufficient and managed through democratic self-government, making it fully independent from government.