How difficult is it to get suitable specialists for the R&D center?
Austria is famous for its high-tech research, its technology exports and its skilled workers. It is much easier to find skilled workers than in other countries. There is simply the right atmosphere for research and development here, and we want to be part of it. Huawei’s investments in Austria will certainly increase in the next few years.
How is the relationship between Huawei and the current Austrian federal government?
We have talks with ministries, now mainly with the Ministry of Agriculture, but also with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. We want to show them that Huawei is a transparent company and we want to understand their requirements. We are very happy that you have set up fair and appropriate framework conditions. The latest network security rules don’t lock any company out. We are very confident that the government will continue to be fair to all providers.
What is the situation like in the rest of Europe?
Our business is doing very well. We have signed 5G infrastructure contracts around the world. Some countries are under greater pressure from the US. Great Britain has announced a very disappointing step here, but this is not exemplary for the EU member states. The discussion with the EU states is much more objective, less political. Unfortunately in Great Britain the matter has become politicized. As a study commissioned by Oxford Economics has shown, excluding a leading provider in principle will unfortunately also result in economic damage.
How difficult is it for Huawei to cope with the US sanctions that prohibit cooperation with US companies and the use of US technology?
That definitely affects our business in part. First and foremost, we now need to spend more time explaining things. At first, some customers were a little concerned, but a year after the sanctions began, Huawei continues to grow steadily. That gives us security. We are coping with the situation better and better and stand by our philosophy of transparency. Hardly any other company has been tested and screened as often as we are. The sanctions are not the best option for the US. Their companies and their economies also suffer.
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