SME Debt: FPÖ Criticized Corona Policy

The bone of contention was repeated lockdowns and delayed government aid, as stated by FPÖ SME spokesperson Michael Fürtbauer at a press conference.

"It wasn't the virus that brought thousands of companies into trouble, it was the politics," ranted Fürtbauer. He criticized an unequal and sluggish distribution of aid, which forced companies to take out loans. Equity capital subsequently dwindled, and many firms slid into insolvency. "The Corona loans were a form of aid that actually makes you sick," said Fürtbauer.

FPÖ: Corona Policy Responsible for SME Debt

"Our revenue has dropped by 56 percent due to the lockdown measures, which means it has more than halved," said Alfred Lauton. He is the head of the welding technology company Lasaco GmbH. Lasaco waited seven months for the first aid payment, two years for the second, and the third is still pending. The managing director of the consulting company Finanzombudsmann, Gerald Zmuegg, described Lasaco not as an isolated case, but as exemplary of the situation of domestic SMEs. He called on the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) to do more for the interests of companies.

(APA/Red)

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