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Austria

Did You Know?

The Austrian ECA, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB), plays a role in many major pulp and paper projects in Indonesia and dams in Turkey. Most recently, OeKB has withdrawn from the controversial Ilisu dam project in Turkey

* Important Background Documents on Austria

* OeKB Summary

* Ilisu Dam Project

* News Items 2004-05

Important Background Documents:

Behind Closed Doors: A Critical Survey of the Austrian Official Export Supporting System [] WWF Austria, Erlassjahr 2000 Austria, and Greenpeace Austria

11/01/2001 -- Public export financing is one of the most important sources of financing. Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) have for a long time been responsible not only for the promotion of exports but support also - with public funds but without public control - direct investments in emerging countries of the South and East- and Southeast European countries and in the Former Soviet Republics. International studies show that the consequences of uncontrolled promotion can be catastrophic. Not taking into account the environment and society when granting public guarantees makes possible the promotion of projects that are incompatible with social, environmental and cultural aspects. [A German translation is also available.]

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OeKB Projects Summary:

The Austrian ECA, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB), has been involved in the financing of APP pulp and paper mills in Indonesia, GAP dams in Turkey, and a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. Indonesian pulp and paper mills run by Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) are guilty of illegal logging practices and responsible for loss of millions of hectares of rainforest. The APP’s struggle to get out of debt from their creditors has only led to further deforestation. GAP project dams in Turkey have removed a large volume of water running through the Middle East without consultation with neighboring countries like Syria and Iraq. They have also been responsible for displacement of large settlements of people, including those in the historic city of Hasankeyf, without providing adequate compensation. OeKB has also guaranteed loans to build eight dams along the River Munzur. While Austria itself is a nuclear-free country, the OeKB is providing guarantees for the security system in the Temelin Nuclear Power plant in the Czech Republic. This plant would only be located 60km (37 miles) from the Austrian border.

Read more about Asia Pulp and Paper projects

Read more about dams in Turkey

Temelin Profile

News 2004-2005:

Three ECAs to Support Railway Project in Philippines February 21, 2004

For more information, contact the ECA Reform Campaign - ECA Watch Austria.

ECA Watch Campaign Member Links:

Stop Ilisu Campaign Ulrich Eichelmann

Jubilee 2000, Austria (Erlassjahr 2000 Oesterreich) Martina Neuwirth

WWF - Austria Corinna Milborn - www.wwf.at

Greenpeace - Austria Martin Frimmel - www.greenpeace.at