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AWS – Austria Wirtschaftsservice      Member  As a special federal bank, the aws is one the most important instruments of the Austrian economic policy. On behalf of federal government, the aws develops selected long-term programs in order to stimulate growth and employment and to translate priorities of economic policies into action. The aws was founded in 2002 by federal law. As a special federal bank organised as a public liability company it is owned to 100% by the Republic of Austria. The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry for Economy and Labour are in charge of aws. The aws was formed through the merger of: the former BÜRGES promotional bank (founded 1954) the FGG (founded 1969) the Innovation Agency (founded 1984) and the organisational integration of the erp-fund (founded 1962). 200 experts with wide economic and technological expertise cover all pertinent areas. Four business departments combine the aws expertise: Promoting and financing – support of Austrian enterprises in all phases of development Technology and innovation – support of high tech projects in growth areas Equity and capital market – support of the development of Austrian equity markets and equity financing Research & knowledge management – promoting Austrian companies through information-oriented services The aws issues grants - e.g. for founding enterprises, business succession, investments and implementing measures for creating and securing jobs, low-interest loans from the assets of the erp-fund that the aws administers, as well as guarantees for loans, investments of equity and other types of financing. In addition to the financial services, the aws offers many services for the Austrian enterprises, like consultation on support, research or utilisation of patents. printversion