Competition, Competition Policy and Economic Growth

Since the mid-1990s, product market competition in Austria has become markedly more vigorous, driven by "externally induced" competition-oriented structural reforms. Under this changed framework the performance of the Austrian economy in the 1990s was quite satisfactory. Recently, however, this growth trend showed clear signs of weakening. If the growth path of the past is to be extended into the future more competition-oriented economic policy measures seem to be indicated. Given a multitude of highly concentrated markets, a growth-oriented competition policy should generate high economic returns.