Doha. 06 Feb, 2025 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Ambassador of Austria to Qatar, Madam Erika Bernhard, hosted a business forum in Doha on Tuesday at her residence. She regarded the event having special significance as Austria and Qatar approach 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, reflecting their strong partnership across various sectors.

Distinguished guests included Christoph Kastner, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Food Trade at the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce; Antonia Kastner, Co-founder of Space for Women Entrepreneurs Austria; Andreas Stauber, Trade Commissioner for Qatar and Kuwait; Henning Zimmermann, Chairman German Business Council Qatar; Farhan AlSheikh AlSayed, President Qatar-Indonesia Business Council; as well as business leaders and media representatives.

Ambassador Bernhard emphasized Austria-Qatar ties in business, politics, and culture, acknowledging Qatar’s vital role in international mediation. She highlighted ongoing cultural collaborations and upcoming exchange projects.

She warmly welcomed Antonia Kastner, co-founder of the Space for Women Entrepreneurs, and Viktoria Kastner, the youngest participant. Sharing a personal connection to the Kastner family’s business legacy, she underscored the value of strong partnerships.

Christoph Kastner, in his address, expressed his sincere appreciation to Her Excellency, the Austrian Ambassador, for the opportunity to present the company’s achievements and future vision to members of the business community and representatives of various trading companies in Qatar.

He introduced his company, highlighting its diverse operations and its history founded in 1828 in a very small town 15 kilometers outside from Zwettel where now company’s headquarter is established since 1903.

He said that the Kastner Group has grown into a major wholesale and retail company, specializing in organic food and convenience store supplies. Today, it operates eight cash-and-carry markets across Austria, with logistics extending to Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Romania. The company includes several divisions: UGAS, Austria’s top organic food wholesaler; Custom Stop & Shop, serving convenience stores and gas stations; and Mangium Art, a franchise concept for organic food trade. With 1,000 employees from 25 nationalities, Kastner Gruppe records annual sales of approximately €300 million.

Christof said that more than 50% of sales come from in-house developed online shops, a capability built since the 1970s. The company offers over 60,000 products, including 14,000 organic items, fresh produce, meat, beverages, and tableware.

Kastner emphasized the company’s expansion through strategic acquisitions and its commitment to innovation. He also introduced the Neumarkt brand, promoted through family and employees.

Talking to www.asiantelegraphqatar.com on the occasion, Austrian Trade Commissioner for Qatar and Kuwait Andreas Stauber reaffirmed his commitment to
strengthening economic ties with Qatar and Kuwait, noting that Qatar remains a key export market for Austria.

He said that despite a temporary decline in Austrian exports in 2023 due to project completions, the first three quarters of 2024 showed a 7% increase, driven by diverse sectors such as machinery, automobiles, and food products.

Imports from Qatar primarily consist of oil and gas derivatives, maintaining a balanced trade relationship, he added. Responding about investment sector, Stauber said that Investment from Qatar in Austria remains minimal, falling below official reporting thresholds. However, Austrian companies continue to explore opportunities in Qatar, particularly in the railway and medical technology sectors. Austria, recognized as a business hub in Central Europe, is home to
over 200 ‘hidden champions’ that lead in specialized industries.

On the tourism front, he said that Vienna has surpassed pre-pandemic visitor levels, with daily two direct flights between Austria and Qatar. He said that The Austrian Trade Commission is also facilitating business collaborations by organizing an incoming medical delegation and participating in major trade
exhibitions, including Project Qatar and Hospitality Qatar exhibitions, to support Austrian companies in entering the Qatari market.