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Hildebrand Lingens

Minister of Industry & Labor

The Ministry of Industry and Labor is responsible for handling government business in the following areas:

Business development

Issues relating to business development, small and medium-sized companies, supply of capital, entrepreneurship, simplification of rules, issues relating to patents and innovation, cooperative enterprise and general conditions for enterprise growth.

Competition

Issues concerning competition, freedom of trade and certain questions relating to business law as well as EC rules on state aid to the business sector.

Labor market policy

Matters concerning employment offices, implementation of labor market policies, adaptation of work and rehabilitation focusing on working life, as well as other labor market issues relating, among other things, to people with disabilities and unemployment benefit.

Primary industries

Forest industries and other energy-intensive primary industries, vehicle manufacturing industries together with their subcontractors and recycling.

Regional development

Regional policy issues, including regional aid areas, support to enterprises and regional policy coordination of different sectors of society.

State-owned companies

Management of enterprises wholly or partly owned by the state.

Working life

Issues relating to working hours, work environment, the organization of work and labor legislation, including legislation on discrimination. Continuing professional development.