Our Profile

The German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft, further in text shortly as OA) is the major regional initiative of the German economy for 29 countries in Central Europe, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, in the South Caucasus and in Central Asia. We support our members in their projects, arrange contacts and answer questions about market entry. In close cooperation with the federal government and the governments of the partner countries, we work to reduce trade barriers and improve economic conditions in the region. The Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft was founded in 1952. It is supported by six central associations of German business and has around 350 member companies.

As a competence centre, we inform our members about current market developments via country and industry working groups, specialist conferences, delegation trips, background discussions as well as print and online publications.

As a door opener, we network our member companies with the Federal Government, the governments of our 29 partner countries and the EU Commission and offer them valuable contacts to the relevant local economic actors.

As a representative of the interests of German industry, we act in bilateral government working groups and committees. We promote the business of our members in the region and address your company petitions.

Our Members

All companies based in Germany can apply for membership. The German Eastern Business Association currently has around 350 member companies – from medium-sized family businesses to DAX companies.

The OA is sponsored by six leading associations of German industry:

• Federation of German Industries (BDI)
• Association of German Banks (Bankenverband)
• Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA)
• Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)
• German Insurance Association (GDV)
• German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH)

Our Member Service

A central service office is available for all OA membership inquiries:

Cristina Zelenac
Member service officer
Phone: +49 (0) 30 206167-121
E-Mail: c.zelenac@oa-ev.de

Advantages of OA Membership

As a member of the German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft), we help you conduct business in our partner countries and provide active support for the implementation of projects. You have the opportunity to help shape the priorities of our association through the various committees, to discuss the industries and regions in the working groups and to network during our many events. Every year we invite all members to three major membership events: a New Year‘s reception, an annual general meeting in summer and a major Eastern European economic conference in autumn.

We are happy to assist you in getting in touch with government and company representatives from the region, in market research, in resolving claims or other matters, and discuss your needs in bilateral working groups.

You will also receive the following expert publications free of charge: the bi-monthly “Ost-Ausschuss Informationen” (OAI), the yearbook “Mittel und Osteuropa-Jahrbuch”, the “OstContact” magazine, country updates, position papers and dossiers, as well as our monthly newsletter.

You can also find current information on our website (www.ost-ausschuss.de), social networks Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.

Our Projects

• Liaison Office for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support market entry in Russia and other Eastern European countries
• Digital cooperation initiatives: GRID (Russia) and WB6+ (Western Balkans)
• Zoran Djindjic Internship Programme of German Business for the Countries of the Western Balkans
• Visegrád Innovation Summit (VIS)
• German/Russian working group for the harmonization of technical regulations
• Participation in the Petersburg Dialogue and the German-Russian Youth Exchange Foundation
• German-Russian Dialogue Baden-Baden in cooperation with the BMW Foundation
• Purchasing initiatives for connecting German companies with suppliers from Central and Eastern Europe
• Berlin Eurasia Club in cooperation with the Kazakh Embassy
• German Agribusiness Alliance

Our Goals

• Promotion of German companies, in particular SMEs
• Greater legal certainty and compliance
• Transparent tender processes
• Reduction of trade, investments and visa barriers
• A common European economic space from Lisbon to Vladivostok

Our Portfolio

• Expert advice and support in entering new markets
• Supporting projects and claims of German companies
• Around 100 events per year in various formats (delegation trips, conferences, expert discussions)
• Country working groups on Belarus, Central Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, South Caucasus, Southeastern Europe and Central Asia
• Industry working groups on agriculture, digitisation, healthcare, logistics/transport infrastructure, urban infrastructure/energy efficiency
• Networking with government agencies, business representatives and the EU
• Position papers, country updates, yearbooks, and many other print and online publications

Position Papers

• Defining shared interests - Implementing projects together
• China's Belt & Road Initiative - Opportunity and challenge for German companies in Eastern Europe