WHY WE ARE A MEMBER OF MAKE-IT

The cooperation between DIHK/AHKs and BMZ/GIZ aims to build up a support structure for local start-ups in developing countries by connecting them with relevant players from the “old economy” abroad and in Germany as well. A Chamber-run accelerator can support high-potential founders and emerging companies to successfully enter the international market and scale their business globally.

DIHK/AHKs in this context could provide access to mentors, co-working space, valuable connections and the knowledge and expertise required to turn their business into a success. The global network of AHKs in cooperation with the local Chambers in Germany (IHKs) will serve as a bridge between Africa and Germany.

Areas of present and future cooperation from the perspective of DIHK/AHKs could be as follows:

• Working together with corporate partners from the Make-IT Alliance:
• Winning them over as potential mentors and advisers for young African start-ups and partners for scaling up, as well as gaining their support during the envisaged delegation trips and summer schools in Germany (hosting events, meeting up with corporate investors, attending in-house seminars etc.)
• Working together with official development agencies (GIZ, BMZ):
• Supporting start-ups on different levels with the aim of improving the local ecosystem and overall conditions for young entrepreneurs, i.e. access to local funding, supply of IT infrastructure, political lobbying etc.
• DIHK/AHK vision for future cooperation with the Make-IT Initiative:
• A future cooperation with BMZ could expand this regional approach onto other continents as well. Together with partners of the “Make-IT Alliance” a landing platform will be established for young start-ups from different countries worldwide seeking to reach out to other start-up ecosystems.

WHAT WE DO

The Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, DIHK) is the central organisation for 79 Chambers of Commerce and Industry, CCI (Industrie- und Handelskammern, IHKs) in Germany. All German companies registered in Germany, with the exception of handicraft businesses, the free professions and farms, are required by law to join a chamber.

Thus, the DIHK speaks for more than three million entrepreneurs. They include not only big companies but also retailers and innkeepers. This gives the association considerable political influence. It does not represent any specific corporate group but all commercial enterprises in Germany.

Economic development and a thriving business community both in Germany and abroad are at the very heart of the AHKs (the German Chamber Network). As government-backed institutions for the development of bilateral trade and investment relations between Germany and the world, AHKs are located in all countries that are of strategic importance to the German economy. The AHK network is deeply involved in the rapid development of today’s global markets. 130 AHK offices in 90 different countries operate in service for German and foreign companies alike, aiming to strengthen business relations between Germany and their respective host countries. AHKs worldwide rely on their capacity as professional service providers as well as strong membership organizations with almost 50,000 corporate members worldwide.

DEinternational

Under the AHK service brandmark DEinternational, companies receive worldwide professional advice and support for the successful establishment and expansion of their business activities abroad. The AHKs have many years of experience in the foreign markets and are at the service of companies as a reliable partner in business planning. They form a bridge between markets and cultures, the employees are always bilingual and know the opportunities and risks for their export business.

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