© DIHK / Werner Schuering

“It is a positive step forward that the BMZ wants to consider the potential for the German and European economy when planning projects,” says DIHK Foreign Trade Manager Volker Treier. Looking at world regions, partnerships at the company level are outlined as focal points of future BMZ activities.

“What is important now is that the BMZ pays more consistent attention to integrating existing structures of German foreign trade promotion in implementing its projects,” says Treier. This includes chambers, professional associations, and country associations domestically, as well as the network of German foreign trade chambers abroad. “The success of German companies depends on having the full range of instruments, networks, and expertise available to them. This interlinking of foreign trade promotion and development cooperation is not only highly relevant for our companies—it is also significant for creating a coherent image of Germany in partner countries.”

Treier emphasizes that other countries use development cooperation to specifically push national economic interests—with clear priorities on trade and investment. In EU countries, for example, an average of over 30 percent of development cooperation spending flows back to their own companies; in Japan, this share exceeds 70 percent. In Germany, this figure is significantly lower. “Here, we should catch up in the interest of our companies and involve them better in development policy,” says the DIHK Foreign Trade Manager.

Accordingly, DIHK calls for a paradigm shift in German development cooperation in its impulse paper from October 2025. (only available in German)