Partnership project between the Association of German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) – Project Overview

Project partners  Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)  Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC)  National chamber organizations of Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, Serbia

Global Project Aim Development of the interregional trade and economic cooperation and revitalization of the economic relations between the ABC countries and the EU, esp. Germany

Project objectives  Strengthening of the institutional framework of ABC and their member organizations by a large number of activities

Project objectives  Representation of interests of the business community before national governments, international organizations and other relevant institutions

Project objectives  Promotion and further development of cooperation within the region as well as with EU, in particular with Germany by regional conferences and business missions

Project objectives  Elaboration and implementation of a modern ABC information network  Alignment of legislation with EU norms  Development of services to the business community

The Project in Figures  89 seminars and workshops for chamber and company staff with almost 2300 participants

The Project in Figures Main seminar issues: - EU Integration -Customs and Preferential System - EU Standards -Quality Management System -How to do Business with Germany, etc.

The Project in Figures  Training of 35 chamber experts in Germany, Brussels and ABC countries: -From Albania -4 -From Bulgaria – 7 -From Macedonia–5 -From Montenegro–2 -From Romania – 8 -From Serbia – 9

The Project in Figures  25 publications in different languages and on differenttopics

The Project in Figures  26 big events such as Conferences, Cooperation meetings, Trademissions

The Project in Figures  Financial support for technical equipment and office furniture

The Project in Figures  Development of a modern web-based information system:

The Project in Figures  Chamber Certification: 3 Chamber certified (BUL, SER, ROM); 2 other started the certification process

The Third Project Phase Main characteristics:  More targeted towards the Western Balkan Chambers

The Third Project Phase  Bigger use of know-how transfer from the non- beneficiary ABC chambers, incl. the BCCI and CCIR to the beneficiary ABC chambers

The Third Project Phase  More activities directed towards providing more information about the Balkan region to German companies (business meetings and conferences in Germany, publications on regional level)

Recommendations Support to the ABC Working groups – stimulate them to initiate  Support to the ABC Working groups – stimulate them to initiate more activities and to monitor theirimplementation

Recommendations  The ABC information system needs better maintained and updated portal  input from each ABC member  The ABC Sustainability and perception  need of stronger commitment and involvement by TOP management of the chambers

The Third Project Phase MBESHTET ΑΕΙΦΟΡΙΑ УСТОЙЧИВОСТ ODRŽIVOST ODRZLIVOST SUSTENABILITATE SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİRLİK SUSTAINABILITY!