AUSTRIA - FOR BUSINESS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Conduit Call Centre in Vienna receives 15^th million call

The Minister for International Trade, Mr Michael Ahern, T.D., speaking at a trade event in Vienna organised by Enterprise Ireland for Irish companies and their Austrian customers and business partners (today, Tuesday, 27^th May, 2003) emphasised the relevance of Austria as a base for Irish companies wishing to conduct business in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Minister announced that Enterprise Ireland had launched a drive to accelerate exports by Irish companies to Austria. Target sectors included telecommunications, financial services and medical devices. The campaign was intended to highlight the importance of Ireland as a source of high quality products and services solutions, offering competitive, high quality and technologically advanced products. He said this was illustrated by the wide-ranging capability and experience of Irish companies who were currently doing business in Austria or were entering the market for the first time.

Minister congratulates Conduit on receiving its 15 millionth call last week

At a visit to the Conduit call centre in Vienna, the Minister was able to congratulate the agent who received the 15 millionth call since the centre opened in 1998. Conduit is an Irish company with operations in Ireland, UK, Switzerland and Austria. 80 people are employed at the call centre in Vienna which serves corporate customers and also offers directory enquiry services under the number 11 88 11. "I am delighted to be able to congratulate Conduit Austria on this achievement. Conduit is a prime example of dynamic Irish-owned companies which have become our star performers in export markets. These companies are characterised by their high standards of service, their flexibility and the development of long-term strategic relationships with their customers," he said.

ENDS