On March 25 through 30, 2012, a session of the joint Russian-Austrian working group was in Vienna (Austria), under the Protocol between the Government of St.Petersburg and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Water, and Forestry of Austria, concerning the cooperation in the area of technology transfer.
On March 25 through 30, 2012, a session of the joint Russian-Austrian working group was in Vienna (Austria), under the Protocol between the Government of St.Petersburg and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Water, and Forestry of Austria, concerning the cooperation in the area of technology transfer.
At the session, the following topics were discussed:
- Technologies for garbaging and recycling the waste
- Energy efficiency in construction and housing and communal services,
- Creation of joint projects under the scheme of public-private partnerships and clusters of environment-friendly businesses
- Environment protection and ecology monitoring.
The participants presented the reports on dedicated topics. There was a visit to processing facilities and meetings with the developers of innovative technology in priority areas for both sides.
The further plan was developed for the working group activities on sharing the experiences, technologies, regulations, and other documents in the area of energy saving and environmental control, construction and waste treatment, as well as information on participation in joint projects and dedicated exhibitions. The next meeting, aimed to provide the presentations of ready developments, is scheduled for autumn 2012.
On the Russian side, the session was attended by the representatives of specialized committees of St.Petersburg, as well as the Committee on Natural Resources, Environment Protection and Ecological Safety and the Committee for External Relations.
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The Protocol between the Government of St.Petersburg and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Water, and Forestry of Austria on Cooperation in the area of technology transfer was signed at St.Petersburg International Economic Forum by A.V.Prokhorenko, Member of t.Petersburg Government, Chairman of St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, and L.Zahrer, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management of Austria, on June 16, 2011.
As a result of 2011, Austria is among the leading group of investors in the economy of St.Petersburg and keeps 11th place in the ranking. According to Petrostat, investments of Austria in the economy of St.Petersburg amounted to $314.269 million in 2011.
The trade turnover between St.Petersburg and Austria today is not consistent with the existing potential - foreign trade turnover of St.Petersburg and Austria amounted to $292.4 million in 2011, which is 58% more than in 2010.
To promote cooperation with St.Petersburg, an information and business center of St.Petersburg operates in Vienna.
In 2011, St.Petersburg implements joint projects with the Austrian city of Graz in the format of partnership cities.
Information Source: St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations.