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Overview funding system

The German System to promote the foreign trade is characterized through task sharing between the state and the economy. The task are split up between state institutions like the foreign representations of the Federal Foreign Office or Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), which is under the scope of restponsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the representations of the German economy - the chambers of commerce

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy wants to support German companies - particularly SMEs - as they do business with international growth markets. The ministry works together with the German economy and initiatives (Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, Latin-America-Initiative, North Africa Middle East Initiative, Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations) to develop instruments.

German Chambers of Commerce Abroad

The German Chambers of Commerce advise, support and represent German companies worldwide that wish to develop or expand their business activities abroad. The AHKs are institutions of German foreign trade promotion.

The Association of German Chambers of Commerce e.V. (DIHK) continuously coordinates and develops the network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad. They are co-funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

The AHKs represent German business interests in 130 locations in ninety countries. They are membership organisations with approximately 45,000 membership companies worldwide. At the same time, the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad represent links between cultures. They are at home in two mentalities and in numerous languages. They have served as reliable partners for companies in their activities abroad for over 120 years.

Further parties of the German foreign trade promotion

But also the following ministries play an important role in the system of the German foreign trade promotion:

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB)

  • coordinates Twinning-projects to enhance the Capacity Building in different countries
  • financial support of environmental protection pilot projects in EU accession countries

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • coordinates with the help of the implementing organisations GIZ and KfW a variety of initiatives and tools in the field of development cooperation

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

  • international cooperation in education and research
  • research for sustainability
  • internationalization strategy

Funding institutions worldwide

GTAI informs about the most important institutions for funding in the field of the development cooperation:

  • goals and his
  • project schedule
  • procurement and business opportunities
  • contact data