ABSTRACT
The basic aim of Austria's foreign trade policy is that of any other country: to secure easier access to foreign markets. In this respect Austria generally prefers multilateral over bilateral approaches, because the negotiating power of small countries is stronger in a multilateral context. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia are GATT members. They are therefore granted most favored nation treatment by Austria. Bulgaria and Romania are not officially developing countries, but Austria also accords them General System of Preferences (GSP) treatment. Since July 1, 1988 Austria has extended GSP treatment to Hungary. Starting January 1988 far-reaching changes came into force in Austrian foreign trade practice. The improvement of the technology transfer control system was achieved through autonomous Austrian measures. The measures are aimed at safeguarding reliable access to foreign high technology and thereby enabling Austrian enterprises to remain competitive.
