International Economics at WIFO. Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, Federal Minister of Economic and Digital Affairs, gave opening speech at 12th FIW Research Conference

Alexander Hudetz; Harald Oberhofer

WIFO Director Christoph Badelt, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, WU Vice Rector Harald Badinger and Harald Oberhofer (WIFO) © Birgit Novotny/WIFO

06.12.2019

International Economics at WIFO

Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, Federal Minister of Economic and Digital Affairs, gave opening speech at 12th FIW Research Conference

The Research Centre "International Economics" (FIW) organised the 12th FIW Research Conference on 5th and 6th December 2019. With reference to the smouldering international trade conflicts, Economics Minister Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, FIW Head Vice Rector Harald Badinger and WIFO Director Christoph Badelt emphasised the necessity of a productive and sustainable exchange between science and economic policy.

The main aim of the conference is to provide economists with a platform to present current research results in the field of "International Economics" and to discuss them with both young researchers and experienced established senior researchers. The international trade conflict was the special focus of this year's conference. ETH Professor Peter Egger presented the latest results on the economic consequences of the "trade war" between the USA and China in a keynote lecture. His presentation was followed by a high-level panel discussion attended by Danai Budas (Federation of Austrian Industries), Peter Egger, Marc Fähndrich (European Commission) and Manfred Schekulin (Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs).

Since the FIW's goal is to support and promote young economists, the focus of this year's meeting will again be on the work of doctoral students, young faculty members, and young researchers in similar positions. In addition, the FIW Research Conference served as a discussion platform between research and politics in order to jointly sound out empirical findings for practical economic policy decision-making.

Further information on the 12th FIW Research Conference can be found here.