Stefan Schleicher

Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (WIFO) is an independent investment research firm headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The firm was founded in 1927 by Friedrich August von Hayek and Ludwig von Mises. WIFO provides applied empirical economic research in Austria with a strong commitment at the European level. The mission of the firm is to build a bridge between academic basic research and economic policy application in order to contribute to solving socio-economic challenges and to create a factual basis for decisions in business and society. Their bridging function also goes hand in hand with an intermediary role between economic policy institutions, university institutions and advisory and consulting companies. WIFO is the point of contact for international organizations (EU, OECD and IMF) and rating agencies with regard to national economic development and the assessment of economic policy measures.