Combined expertise strengthens Germany’s export sector

Through the ‘Team Germany’ approach, the Federal Government brings together the expertise of various stakeholders in the fields of promotion of foreign trade and development cooperation. Ministries, development banks, implementing organisations and the German business community work closely together to provide companies with the best possible support for international projects.

The Federal Government’s export credit guarantees are a key component of this approach. They help German companies to seize international business opportunities, even in challenging markets, by hedging the risks associated with export transactions. Together with other financing and support instruments, they contribute to the successful deployment of German technology and expertise worldwide.

Through the ‘Team Germany’ approach, the Federal Government, development banks, agencies for the promotion of foreign trade, development cooperation bodies and the German business community pool their activities in partner countries. The aim is to support German companies in their investments and exports whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable economic development locally. Close cooperation between institutions such as the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, KfW, DEG, GIZ and the promotion of foreign trade results in integrated solutions for companies and partner countries.

An important milestone for this cooperation was the signing of a joint mission statement by the Team Germany stakeholders. In it, they reaffirm their shared goal of providing even closer support to companies in future, better coordinating support instruments and sustainably strengthening Germany’s position as a business location in the face of international competition.

Through the Global Gateway initiative, the European Union is supporting the development of sustainable, high-quality infrastructure worldwide. The aim is to promote investment in the fields of energy, transport, digitalisation, health and education, whilst at the same time strengthening economic cooperation with partner countries.

Companies can access the European Commission’s support services via the Global Gateway Investment Hub. Specifically, German companies can turn to the Investment Hub’s German contact point. This is managed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Federal Foreign Office. The Team Germany partners are also involved. The institutions within the contact point assist German companies in preparing their GGIH applications and handle the application process.

Global Gateway opens up a wide range of business opportunities for German companies in international infrastructure and transformation projects. The Federal Government’s export credit guarantees can play an important role in this by underpinning German goods and services and supporting companies in tapping into new markets. In this way, Global Gateway and the Investment Hub complement the Federal Government’s instruments for the promotion of foreign trade and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and growth objectives.

Further information on Global Gateway and the European Connectivity Strategy can be found via the link below.

The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) supports the German Government in its international cooperation efforts for sustainable development. On behalf of various federal ministries, it assists partner countries in areas including the promotion of sustainable economic structures, the energy transition, climate action, vocational training and the development of resilient supply chains.

Through its projects, GIZ creates framework conditions that facilitate German companies’ access to international markets and promote sustainable investment. Together with instruments for the promotion of foreign trade – including export credit guarantees, UFK guarantees and Investment Guarantees – it helps to link economic development, sustainable growth and international partnerships.

The ‘Förderlotse Wachstumsmärkte’ (Growth Markets Funding Guide) helps companies find suitable funding and financing instruments for their international projects. This online service brings together information on Germany’s instruments for the promotion of foreign trade – ranging from export finance and investment support to development cooperation programmes – and makes it easier for companies to get in touch with the relevant contacts.

The Funding Guide thus helps to make the German Government’s wide range of support programmes transparent and to assist companies in tapping into new growth markets.

"German Pavilion" is the name given to the official joint stand for German companies at trade fairs worldwide, organised as part of the Federal Government’s international trade fair programmes. As exhibitors, German companies present their products and services here under the "made in Germany" brand.

Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad is one of the most important and effective tools of export marketing for the German economy. International trade fairs provide a platform for buying and selling, investment and cooperation abroad, and are also of outstanding importance as a forum for information and networking.

Through official participation in selected trade fairs and exhibitions abroad, the Federal Republic of Germany – represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (BMLEH) – creates the framework conditions for its export sector to make successful use of this marketing tool. In doing so, it helps to secure long-term sales opportunities and jobs in the export sector.

The selection of international trade fair participations is carried out in collaboration with the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), which coordinates the interests of the business community and takes into account the specific needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In addition to favourable participation terms, exhibiting companies benefit from the following services, amongst others:

• Organisational support from a German-speaking organising body both in Germany and at the trade fair venue,
• Provision of exhibition space in various sizes,
• General stand design and fit-out,
• Support with stand decoration from an architect and a stand construction company,
• Lighting and/or power supply at the stand,
• Standardised stand signage,
• Use of a lounge for client meetings, including catering,
• Further exhibition-specific support measures and services.

The design of the exhibition stands under the umbrella brand ‘made in Germany’ creates a unified presence that showcases high-quality products from Germany to the highest standard. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular benefit from being able to present themselves internationally and network as part of the German Pavilion.

In this way, the Federal Government supports small and medium-sized enterprises and also ensures global recognition of services and products from Germany. At the same time, trade fair visitors from all over the world can meet their potential German partners all in one place at the German Pavilion.

Detailed information, an overview of all trade fairs and registration options can be found via the link below.