Over the last sixty-eight years, WIFO has published the main results of its empirical work in the "Monatsberichte" in German language. In recent years, we noted an increasing interest from abroad on Austrian economic issues. At the same time, our own focus shifted or, more accurately, widened towards international, particularly European questions. The number of foreign companies and institutions settling in Austria has grown at a rapid pace, especially since the opening-up of Central and Eastern Europe, and so has the number of Austrian joint ventures and subsidiaries in European countries and beyond. This process has been accompanied by a similar trend at the level of official institutions, again in both directions. With Austria's accession to the European Union the need for reliable, non-partisan and up-to-date information on Austrian economic developments has taken on a new dimension among partner countries and EU institutions. Austrian Economic Quarterly intends to respond to these needs. It will publish articles of "Monatsberichte", which are deemed interesting for an international readership. Therefore, like in "Monatsberichte" the target of this new publication will not be the academic world – this is the task of "Empirica", our joint venture with the Austrian Economic Association – but decision makers in politics, private business and public administration. The articles will be supplemented by up-to-date statistical information on Austria. Despite this new, comprehensive and more convenient set of information for English-language readers, we shall maintain our short English summaries of all articles published in "Monatsberichte". We hope that Austrian Economic Quarterly will contribute to a better understanding of the Austrian economy and of the opportunities it offers for closer international relations and cooperation.
