Partnership project between the Association of German Chamber

1. Project Overview • Partnership project between the Association of German Chamber • of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) • 01.12.2000 – 31.12.2006

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. The Project in Figures • 25 publications in different languages and on different topics

12. The Project in Figures • 26 big events such as Conferences, Cooperation meetings, Trade missions

13. The Project in Figures • Financial support for technical equipment and office furniture

14. The Project in Figures • Development of a modern web-based information system: www.abcinfos.com

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

16. The Third Project Phase • 01.01.2007 - 31.12.2009 • Main characteristics: • More targeted towards the Western Balkan Chambers

17. 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

18. 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)

19. Recommendations • Support to the ABC Working groups – stimulate them to initiate • more activities • and to monitor • their • implementation

20. 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

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