BUILDING COMMUNITIES - STRENGTHENING TIES

Focusing on fostering and enhancing the dynamic relationship between Austria and the Asia-Pacific region, Asia Day 2024 aimed to create a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and innovation across cultures and industries.

The event provided a central platform for participants to enhance their relationships with business partners and stakeholders in their respective industries.  

THIS WAS ASIA DAY 2024 

A hearfelt "thank you" to the over 900 registered participants, exhibitors, speakers and partners for creating such a vibrant community dedicated to strengthening ties between Austria and Asia. 

Highlights

• High-calibre speakers
• 10 expert-led panels on:
  • Innovation
  • Female entrepreneurship
  • Financing business ventures
  • Global tech trends
  • Potential for cooperation in the shifting global economy
• Programme details: please refer to Agenda
• Over 900 participants & over 600 on-site attendees
• Personal consultations with 12 Austrian Commercial Counsellors
• Exhibition booths by 25 Asian embassies and official partners
• Virtual B2B meetings (4-6 December)

The event focused on unlocking the vast opportunities in Asia's rapidly expanding markets - with an economic growth forecast of 4.5% for the Asia-Pacific region and even stronger prospects in Southeast Asia and India.

Key findings

Amidst the challenges posed by a fragmented global trade environment, it is crucial to reconnect and strengthen the bonds between Austrian businesses and the dynamic markets of Asia.

With regard to international communication and collaboration, neuroscientist Dong-Seon Chang shared his perspectives on creativity, adaptability, and cultural exchange, and highlighted how much we can gain by understanding different ways of thinking and working. “Collective human intelligence outperforms any individual intelligence no matter how smart the individual is”.

In her keynote address, geopolitical expert Lynn Kuok, along with the distinguished panel that followed, emphasized the importance of Austria engaging with Asian countries pragmatically, while carefully considering the region's socioeconomic, cultural, and historical diversity. Austria, as a member of the EU with a robust and innovative economy, is viewed by Asian countries as a reliable economic partner. There is a strong willingness to deepen collaboration with Austria and the EU across various sectors, including green technologies, mobility, infrastructure, and investment (FDI).

The Asia-Pacific region presents Austrian companies with anuntapped potential worth over €18 billion annually. Asia Day 2024 emphasized the importance of market diversification and demonstrated the extensive prospects available in the rapidly growing economies across the Asian continent. 

Innovation Lab Austria @ EXPO Osaka 2025

At the upcoming World Expo in Osaka, Japan, from 13 April to 13 October 2025, Austria will present domestic innovations to an international audience of millions under the motto "Composing the Future". The selected projects range from drone-based analysis for urban climate optimization, to a revolutionary technology for wastewater treatment and power generation, to climate-friendly visitor guidance in tourist hotspots.

The digital and interactive exhibition in the Austrian Pavilion will present innovative ideas and solutions for a responsible and sustainable future - in line with the EXPO motto "Designing Future Society for Our Lives". The "Call for Innovations" was open to Austrian companies, start-ups, universities, research institutions and other organizations. 

A total of 89 outstanding projects in 10 categories were selected for the Innovation Lab Austria in the Austrian Pavilion and presented at Asia Day 2024. 

Find out more at: Innovation Lab Austria @ EXPO Osaka 2025 

Photo gallery

See more photos here.